Liam Giddins raises money for charity with Christmas single

Liam Giddins

Eleven-year-old Liam Giddins from Shawclough has written and released his a Christmas single to raise money for The Winnie Mabaso Foundation.

Liam, who wrote the song ‘Ho Ho Ho’ when he was nine years old, is selling the single as a digital download for £1 with all proceeds going to the charity.

Liam’s mum, Nicola Chaplin, said: “Music is something he loves. He has been playing the guitar since he was seven and was always trying to find out how to play my partner's song.”

It was then suggested that Liam write his owns songs so he could play them.

One week later, Liam had written ‘Ho Ho Ho’ and was recently taken to the recording studio to record his own Christmas single.

Nicola added: “I kept promising to take him to a studio to record it and then I said that this year for his birthday we would go and do it and we did.”

Liam, who attends St Vincent’s school in Norden, recorded the song on 7 December and thoroughly enjoyed his time in the recording studio. Nicola said: “He absolutely loved it. He was like a kid in a sweet shop.”

All proceeds from the song will go to The Winnie Mabaso Foundation. The charity supports orphaned children in South Africa and helps those affected by HIV/AIDS. Started in 2004 by Lisa Ashton MBE, the charity has gone on to build an orphanage and a pre-school as well as providing vocational training courses in Finetown, South Africa.

When the work of the charity was explained to Liam, he knew that was the charity he wanted to support. “Once I told him about the work that the charity does with the children, he said I definitely want to help that one,” said Nicola.

Liam and his family don’t have a fund raising total in mind but Nicola thinks Liam will be pleased if he reaches £100. “I think he has about £50-£60 raised at the minute but we’re just taking it day-by-day. I think if he reaches £100 then he will be over the moon,” added Nicola.

The download will be kept available for people to buy throughout Christmas and New Year. Nicola said: “I am so proud of him. I am over the moon with everything he has done.”

Download the single at:

http://liamgiddins.bandcamp.com/