CHILDREN from the former West End cast of School of Rock have recorded a song to raise money for NHS Hero Support.

The School of Rock song – If Only You Would Listen – has been rewritten into a powerful plea for the public to help NHS Hero Support fill critical gaps in PPE. The 28 ex-cast members also pay a moving tribute to the NHS staff lost to COVID-19, as a stark reminder of the risks that frontline staff are exposed to when supplies of PPE, such as facemasks, fail.

The song was produced to raise money for NHS Hero Support, a national voluntary group delivering urgent PPE to hospitals, care homes, hospices, and GP surgeries across the UK.

Twelve-year-old, ex-School of Rock performer, Audrey Newman, was excited about using her singing voice to help during the COVID-19 crisis, she said:

“It is awful hearing about healthcare workers dying. Some of my friends’ parents are doctors, and I know it is really scary for them. We realised that although we are only children, we can still use our voices to help.”

Jasper Bew, 13, who has drummed, played guitar and keyboards in the box-office hit, added:

“There is a shortage of equipment all over the world, and we have to work together to do all we can to keep those who care for us safe.”

Sara Farrell, a volunteer at NHS Hero Support, whose day job is organising major music industry events, said Hero Support is thrilled to have the children’s help. She said:

“The talent and passion of these young music stars blew our whole team away when we watched the video, they get right to the heart of the issue – the whole country wants our nurses, doctors and care workers to stay safe, which is what NHS Hero Support is all about. Every pound raised through this video will go directly to getting more desperately needed PPE to the frontline. Our professional procurement team, and hundreds of volunteer drivers across the country, meaning we can scramble supplies within hours to get GP services, care homes, and hospices back up and running.

“We know who needs help through our partnership with the Doctors Association – the only limit to how many frontline workers we can protect is the funds available to us to keep stock coming in. We hope the public listens to the amazing song, shares it widely, and donates to us on www.nhsherosupport.co.uk.”