Phillip Schofield
Popular collection of nursery rhymes, songs and poems performed by celebrity supporters of baby charity Tommy’s is now available as a digital download for the first time.
Produced by legendary record producer, Sir George Martin, who oversaw the rise of The Beatles, the album consists of classics such as The Teddy Bears’ Picnic, Old Macdonald Had A Farm, and Nellie The Elephant - performed by a host of stars including Anneka Rice, Joanna Lumley, Timmy Mallet and Phillip Schofield. Perfect for long car journeys, bedtime or parties - this album will keep little ones easily entertained.
Anneka, who now hosts Radio 2's Weekend Breakfast show, says: “What fantastic news that Tommy’s Tape is being re-released. I remember the challenge well - it was a huge amount of fun and incredible to see so many famous faces get behind the challenge, and turn around this tape in just three days.
“Twenty years on supporting Tommy’s work is as important as ever, and this is an easy way for parents to contribute to the charity’s work.”
Baby charity Tommy’s was founded in 1992, the year when this host of celebrities took part in a special charity challenge on the BBC’s ‘Challenge Anneka’ programme, and recorded a series of children’s nursery rhymes, songs and poems to form the very popular ‘Tommy’s Tape’.
The cassette tape subsequently sold in aid of Tommy’s, to help fund the charity’s pioneering medical research into the causes and preventions of miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth.
Two decades later, as Tommy’s celebrates its 20th anniversary, the charity is releasing a digital version of the tape, available to download on iTunes and other music websites.
Jane Brewin, Tommy’s Chief Executive, says: “It’s not every year that we can say we are releasing an album so this is exciting news for us, and we are so thankful to all of the celebrity supporters who took part back then, and for supporting the album’s re-release now.
“We’ve made huge advances since Tommy’s started in 1992, but need more support than ever now to carry on our work and ensure every baby is given the best start in life.”
Celebrities involved in the original recording include: Sonia, Linda Robson, Pauline Quirke and Lesley Joseph (‘Birds of a Feather’ cast members), Right Said Fred, Mike Read, Paul Nicholas, Nanette Newman and daughter Emma Forbes, Maureen Lipman, Beverley Craven, Jenny Agutter, Johnny Amobi, Kenny Andrew, Colin Charles, Peter Alex Newton, Horace Oliver, and Dick Wayne from ‘Five Guys Named Moe’, Jason Connery, Sam Brown, Jean Boht, Pam Ayres and Julia Fordham.
Pregnancy complications - such as premature birth, miscarriage and stillbirth are more common than people think, and current statistics show that 1 in 4 women will lose a baby at pregnancy or birth in the UK.
Despite the statistics however, traditionally little funding has been made available for pregnancy health research in the UK – Tommy’s therefore relies on the fundraising efforts of the public to carry out its work.
Proceeds from each download of ‘Tommy’s Tape’ will help Tommy’s carry out its vital work. The album is priced at £7.99 and individual tracks at £0.99.
Go to: www.tommys.org/tommystape for details
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