Fundraising musicians sing you a song with a little help from their friends

Milltown Studios in the High Peak is raising money for charity.

The studios have brought together the community’s musical talent, alongside musical friends and national legends, to produce a charitable tribute to the NHS and to raise money for The Christie and other NHS charities. 

Throughout lockdown, more than 200 students, friends and colleagues collaborated on Zoom with famous musicians and local celebrities, to create an incredible recording of ‘With A Little Help From My Friends’, dedicated to NHS staff that work tirelessly each day. 

Recording from their homes, guitarists, drummers, singers and percussionists played their part. 

Young musicians, from the age of seven, alongside singers and songwriters from schools and colleges around the High Peak, were joined by legends, including: Rowetta (Happy Mondays), Gerry Leonard (David Bowie), John Thomson (Cold Feet), Tony Audenshaw (Emmerdale), Mike Heaton (Embrace), Ric Lee (10 Years After), Matthew Priest (Dodgy), Pete Salisbury (The Verve/Charlatans) and Craig Walker (Power of Dreams).

John Patterson of Milltown Studios in New Mills explained the thought behind the song.

“As Covid has dominated our thinking and resources over these past few months and it’s not about to just go away, this wonderful group of musicians saw an opportunity to give something back,” he said.

“Behind all the headlines, NHS staff are still at the forefront, tackling not only Covid but all the other medical needs the nation has, something The Christie is painfully aware of.” 

The love song to the NHS is available to download from for just 99p from Amazon, Deezer, Spotify, Google Play and iTunes with 50 per cent of all proceeds going to The Christie to help fund their research and care services. The remaining 50 per cent will go to NHS charities.

John Patterson added: “The musical talent and community spirit has really helped turn an unknown and anxious time for many into a positive and joyous project and we hope everyone enjoys the song.”