Forget the X Factor and tell Cliff Richard to take a year off a Perthshire charity is setting its sights on this year’s Christmas pop charts.
The Perth Autism Support (PAS) team launched its winter appeal with debut festive single, Bright Hopeful Christmas.
The song was revealed at a sell-out party at the city’s Loft Nightclub. The single’s promo video, featuring many of the charity’s staff and children, was shown to around 200 guests.
Bright Hopeful Christmas was written by the charity’s befriending coordinator, Chris White. It was recorded at Dundee’s Redbarn Studios with 22 of the children PAS supports.
Available on iTunes, Google Music and Amazon MP3, it is the first original Christmas single to be released by a charity in Perth and Kinross.
PAS chief executive Angie Ferguson said: “We are delighted to announce the launch of our Christmas song appeal for 2015.
“Our charity has grown substantially over the last four years and we have become a lifeline for many families living in Perth and Kinross who have a child or young person with autism.
“Unfortunately, in this economic climate, securing ongoing funding to sustain our services at the level demanded by the community is an ongoing issue and we are reliant on continual fundraising for our project and with our Christmas song, it is the perfect opportunity for everyone to support us at a small cost.”
She added: “We would encourage as many people in our local community to share the links for our song with friends and families, even if they live outwith Perth and Kinross.”
Perth Autism Support was established in 2011 and has become an invaluable asset to families living with autism, as well as the wider community.
It is the only autism charity offering direct help to children and young adults with autism, and their families, through regular support groups and 40 hours of activities each week. Events are aimed at reducing social isolation and improving integration. Every penny made through the single will go to the charity and will remain in the Perth and Kinross area.