Joy for kids as Christmas album flies up the charts

A GROUP of children from the Perth area have become hit recording artistes.

So successful in fact that they are currently in between Cliff Richard and Slade i n the best rock song for Christmas category in the UK charts.

The kids from Perth Autism Support launched their Christmas single ‘Wishing You A Very Merry Christmas’ at the Fair City’s Playhouse cinema on Sunday.

And, in the few days since it was released on Amazon, iTunes and Google Play, it has climbed the charts at a great pace.

The song, penned by Perth’s Chris White and recorded at Red Barn Studios in Longforgan, with children from Perth Grammar School and the Community School of Auchterarder also involved, has gone to number 10 in the Amazon sales chart and to number 19 in the Hot New Songs list.

Kathleen MacLeod, fundraising assistant with the autism group, said they were all delighted with the success of the single so far.

She said: “The children have loved taking part in this and we’re hoping to raise about £1,000 for the group to help pay for activities and services.”

Kathleen said around 30 children had taken part in creating the single and they were looking forward to performing it at several events between now and Christmas — including the switching on of the Craigie Christmas lights in Perth tomorrow.

Chris, who wrote the song, said it was fantastic that the single was proving so successful.

“I’ve just learned that we are sitting between Cliff and Slade i n the Christmas rock song category — so that’s a pretty good place to be.

“I don’t think we could wish for better than that,” he added.

Chris, a musician who works with the support group, said that he wrote the song back in June and recorded it in September.

He said: “The children have loved performing it. Not only is it raising money for the group but it is giving the children taking part a huge amount of confidence and fun.

“They are now looking forward to performing it on stage at various events.”

The single — £4 or three for £10 — is available from Perth Autism Support.