COWELL SONG TO RAISE £5M FOR FIRE VICTIMS
Stars join Simon for charity record
A HOST of stars yesterday answered music mogul Simon Cowell’s call to record a song to raise £5million for the victims of the Grenfell Tower blaze. The cash matches the amount pledged by Prime Minister Theresa May.
THE pop world has united to try to raise £5million for the Grenfell Tower victims.
Simon Cowell raced against the clock to rally a host of big names to cut a charity single yesterday.
If it makes as much as experts predict it will match the £5million so far pledged by Theresa May.
Stars including James Blunt, Leona Lewis, Rita Ora, Craig David and Libertines rocker Carl Barat headed to a London recording studio yesterday.
They were joined by Gregory Porter, Paloma Faith and rapper Angel, while 1D hunk Liam Payne and James Arthur recorded vocals from abroad.
The cause is personal to Rita because she grew up in the area and knew people who lived in the tower.
Within hours of the tragedy she rushed to the site to help.
More stars including Emeli Sande, Stormzy and The Who are set to record vocals today.
Vowing to get even more stars involved, Simon said: “Until that last note has been finished, we will not be off the phone.”
It is hoped megastar Adele, who has visited the Grenfell site, will also sing on the track.
Simon started the project because he was left “heartbroken” by the tragedy. He lives in Holland Park in the same borough as the tower block. The single, which will be a cover of Simon and Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water, will be available to download as early as tomorrow. All VAT made from the single will be refunded and donated to the charity, the Government pledged. Music agent Barry Tomes last night tipped the tune to raise £5m. He said: “This song will make millions. With so many big names involved, there’s bound to be interest from around the world. “Hopefully the distribution costs will be waived along with the VAT. It could easily make £5m. It’ll be a massive hit. “The great thing nowadays is you can get a single out to download straight away. It’s made even easier because artists can record vocals from anywhere in the world. “Hopefully this will also make the residents feel good. They need a bit of love.” Cash raised will go to help families of those who died in the fire as well as the people who lost their homes. Simon is confident the single will encourage others to help victims. He said: “I hope it will prick a few people’s consciences and it might spur someone on to do something else. We can do more than just a record.
“The song is important because it has to be sincere, it has to have the right message, it has to mean something to the people affected.
“I genuinely believe it will make a difference.”
Famous names from the football world are also doing their bit.
Arsenal footballer Hector Bellerin pledged £50 to the victims for every minute he plays at the European U21 Championship.
If Spain reach the final and rightback Bellerin, 22, plays every minute of every game, he would donate £22,500, not including injury time.
Manchester City winger Raheem Sterling, who grew up in north-west London, also pledged he would give a “substantial sum” .
The 22-year-old said: “This is a deep and sad situation, one that’s close to my heart and hard to swallow. I would like to help in the best way I can.”
And Southampton defender Ryan Bertrand promised to help find new homes for survivors.
Bertrand, 27, said: “I can’t think of all the answers but I can do what I feel is needed.
“Starting with rehousing the victims, and making sure they don’t leave the W11 postcode.”