A new, award-winning charity single has been launched in a bid to raise much-needed funds for the Alzheimer’s Society.
Penarth-based singer and song writer, Phil Lewis, released ‘Dripping Away’ at an official launch event at the Copthorne Hotel last night (Tuesday 11th October).
The song, which was inspired by Phil’s father who died of Alzheimer’s disease in January 2010, is now available for digital download and all proceeds from the sales of the single will go to the Alzheimer’s Society Cardiff and the Vale.
‘Dripping Away’ was entered into this year’s UK Songwriting Contest and secured a semi-final place after being judged against over 6,000 entries by top producer Stuart Epps, BRIT Award winning producer, songwriter and musical director Simon Ellis, and the legendary producer, musical director and arranger Richard Niles who have between them worked with artists such as Elton John, Mariah Carey and Britney Spears.
Phil Lewis commented, “Alzheimers is currently a growing disease. In 2006, there were 26.6 million sufferers worldwide. By 2050 Alzheimers is predicted to affect 1 in 85 people globally.
“My father was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 63. He died just seven years later, at the age of 70. Over the years, he became virtually unrecognisable from the father who nurtured and raised me. The Alzheimer’s Society is invaluable to people like my dad and our family and I am committed to raising funds to enable the good work they do.”
Local businesses showed their support of the charity single, with business services provider, Micross Group, organising the launch event, the Copthorne Hotel donating the venue free of charge and Jags Catering supplying complimentary refreshments.
Helen Nutton, Lead Consultant of Micross Futures, Wales’ leading IT recruiter, added, “Micross Group is committed to supporting local charities and Alzheimers holds a personal significance for my family. Therefore when Phil, our client through Source Software, asked for our support we jumped at the chance to help the Alzheimer’s Society’s work..”
Alzheimer’s Society is a leading support and research charity, which works to improve the quality of life of people affected by dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Through a network of local services, the Society touches the lives of over 30,000 people every week, providing practical services and support for people with dementia and their carers.
Matt Quinn, Dementia Awareness Worker for Alzheimer’s Society in Cardiff and the Vale, said, “Through campaigning and lobbying we strive to raise awareness of the challenges faced by people with dementia and the people who care for them. Locally we provide a number of services, including a daycentre, helpline, respite projects, carer training and carer support groups.
“And through our research programme we work to improve the knowledge we have about dementia and its treatment – and pursuing the ultimate goal of finding a cure. We couldn’t do any of this without the funding contributed by people like Phil.”
Listeners can purchase the single from digital music stores such as iTunes and Amazon Digital, or they can text ‘track drip’ to 80818.
For more information on the local services provided by the Alzheimer’s Society contact 02920 434960.