Over 65 London-based musicians have come together to make a Christmas album with a modern twist in aid of UK charity Action on Hearing Loss (formerly RNID) and Save the Children. 

The idea for the ‘Christmas Rewrapped’ album was born after Tooting-born musician and producer Gavin Holligan reconnected with former Brit School classmate, bassist Teresa Morini. Teresa, who has just returned from touring with Cirque du Soleil, was diagnosed with hearing loss at the age of six and wanted to do something to raise awareness of hearing loss and inspire others affected by the condition to reach for their dreams despite their disability.

Teresa, Gavin and his sister Emily – who make up South London band collective TheInThing – called in help from industry contacts who have performed with musical royalty such as Stevie Wonder, James Brown and Jessie J, as well as cast members of West End hit show Wicked, to produce a six-track album featuring a collection of much-loved Christmas songs, including ‘Jingle Bells’ and ‘Hark the Herald Angels Sing’, remixed with a vintage funk and soul twist. 

Emily Holligan, who founded the TheInThing with her brother Gavin, said: “This project came together in just about three weeks and we are so grateful to all the musicians who came on board on such short notice. We really wanted to use this project to help raise awareness of hearing loss as it’s a cause close to our heart – losing your hearing as a musician is probably your biggest nightmare, so we wanted to spread the message as hearing loss is a condition that often goes unnoticed. We put our heart and soul into the album, working and recording day and night to give people great music that can be enjoyed by everyone over the festive season and at the same time raises money for a good cause.”

Dani Freedland, Head of Regional and Events Fundraising at charity Action on Hearing Loss, said: “For most of us music is an everyday part of life, so imagine what you would be missing if you lose the soundtrack to your life – music, friends’ voices, laughter. People with hearing loss find it especially hard during the festive season, as many feel that they are missing out on their favourite Christmas sounds. One in six of us already has some form of hearing loss, and one day it will affect each and every one of us, so we are incredibly grateful to our fundraisers who make it possible for us to fund more research into hearing loss and find a cure so people can still enjoy great music, such as the songs featured on Christmas Rewrapped, for years to come.”

The album is available as a digital download for a donation of £6 or more. Over 50% percent of all proceeds will be donated to charity, shared between the Ebola Crisis Appeal and Action on Hearing Loss. For more information and to download the album visit theinthing.bandcamp.com/album/christmas-rewrapped

More information about ‘TheInThing’ is available at www.theinthing-entertainment.com

For information on ‘Action on Hearing Loss’ visit www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk

For information on ‘Save the Children’ visit www.savethechildren.org.uk