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Posh & Becks join Russell for a touch of class

29/ 8/2002

SALFORD opera star Russell Watson is teaming up with Posh and Becks for a charity assault on the Christmas charts.

The Irlam-born tenor, who has gone from strength to strength with blockbuster albums and sell-out shows, will be hitting the right notes when he puts his weight behind the Kirsty Howard appeal. The big-hearted singer says he will donate all proceeds from his single, Is Nothing Sacred Anymore? to the appeal, aimed at raising £5m to ensure the Francis House Children's Hospice in Didsbury stays open.

It was penned by Meatloaf songwriter Jim Steinman but nobody involved in the single will make a penny, and it could be the biggest Christmas present poorly children in Greater Manchester get this year. Charity bosses are now praying the single, due to be released in November, will beat all competition to reach the coveted Christmas number one spot.

Six-year-old Kirsty, from Stockport, was born with her heart back to front and has become the public face of a battle to save Francis House, a hospice which cares for terminally ill children. She touched the nation's heart when she joined David Beckham at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony to present The Queen with the baton.

Russell, who was singing at the ceremony, was so moved when he saw the youngster he immediately decided to do something to help her. He sent a copy of the finished song to showbiz pals David and Victoria Beckham (pictured above), who have been heavily involved in the campaign, and they liked it so much they agreed to appear in the video.

Campaign coordinator Susie Mathis said: "The record is fantastic and if everyone that's been touched by this very special little girl's courage buys it, it's one way of knowing our funds will be swollen. I've got everyone I know to cross everything for a Christmas number one."

Anyone wanting to make donations should phone 0800 971 197.