An inspiring group of Gateshead children with additional needs have overcome their own barriers to show empathy for the people of Ukraine.
Year Six pupils from Eslington Primary School have written and recorded a moving song called 'Eslington Stands With Ukraine ' to show their support for the country during the war against Russia. The school, which caters for youngsters with social, emotional and mental health difficulties, invited musician and songwriter Ani Sandwith to spend a week working with the group on the song.
The track was recorded at Sound Room Studios in Gateshead and released on YouTube in the hope of encouraging listeners to donate to UNICEF Ukraine or the British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal. Already it is helping to raise awareness of the plight of the Ukrainian people, with hundreds of people listening to it after it was released at the end of last week.
"I am so proud of them," Ani said. "The children face quite a lot of challenges on a daily basis and I think it is amazing that they have had that level of empathy. It is fantastic.
"The children who sang and wrote the song are aged 10 and 11, but there were contributions from the whole school. The school and the parents are so happy that the children have been engaged in such a motivational and inspiring project that really demonstrates their creative abilities and their empathy.
"The lyrics in the song were all written by the children and they are really heart-wrenching - they really captured what is going on [in Ukraine]."
To listen to the song click here.
