A Christmas single featuring young singers from Southampton and Portsmouth has made a splash on the charts.
Raising money for Teenage Cancer Trust, Beard on My Face quickly climbed to number eight on iTunes after its release. Now, the community is rallying to push it even higher.
Organised by Beardman Media Group, the project aims to set a record for the most people involved in a Christmas number one.
More than 260 members of Sound Pop Academy took part in the recording, with 12 members chosen for solo parts as lead singers.
Sound Pop Academy, catering to children aged two to 17, operates in areas including Southampton, Eastleigh, Fareham, Havant, Hedge End, and Romsey.
The group is known for offering young singers a chance to build confidence, develop skills, and take part in memorable projects.
For those wanting to support the cause and help push the single further up the charts, organisers have urged as many people as possible to purchase the track on iTunes.
Sound Pop Academy’s director, Mike Evans, shared his excitement about this milestone and said: "This has been an incredible opportunity for our members to work with professional record producers whilst also supporting such an important charity. This opportunity will stay with them for a lifetime, and it’s a huge privilege to see their hard work recognised on such a big stage."
George Madgwick, Beardman Media Group, said: "We wanted to create something magical by bringing together as many people as possible to support a truly fantastic cause. Seeing the passion and talent from the young singers at Sound Pop Academy has been incredible, and we’re thrilled to see the song climbing the charts already."
Although streams on platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Music also contribute, buying the singles on iTunes has the most significant impact.
Sound Pop Academy is featured on five versions of the song, including Beard on My Face (Sound Pop Group Version), which is currently charting at number eight.
Each purchase makes a notable impact, with one download equating to 600 streams.
The organisers have encouraged people to come together this Christmas to celebrate local talent and support the Teenage Cancer Trust.
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