Anti bullying song helps Kids feel Safe and Sound

A songwriter has used his talents to help Liverpool school children get across an important anti bullying message.

Paul Browne has written and produced a song called Safe and Sound with year three children from Kirkby C of E Primary School.

The project has been funded by Knowsley Housing Trust (KHT) - where Paul has worked as a plasterer for 29 years.

He approached KHT for help with his idea and they paid for the 35 children to record their song in a studio earlier this year.

Paul now hopes the CD can be used to raise money for anti bullying charities and help empower children who may be suffering at the hands of a bully.

Father of three Paul, aged 45, from Kirkby, has been writing songs – mainly dance music - for the last six years and has had 40 songs published on 20 dance music compilations.

He enlisted the help of his producer friend and Radio City DJ Steve Cocky, who recorded the song at his studio in New Brighton.

Paul, whose children have all attended Kirkby C of E, said:- “I had written the song as I really wanted to use it to get across the message that children should be allowed to live their lives without fear and be safe in their own playgrounds. I approached the school and KHT and they both thought it was a great idea. KHT paid for everything, from hiring the studio to the coach to get the children down there. They have been absolutely fantastic.I saw some terrible bullying when I was at school and today it seems the dynamic of bullying is changing and there are even more ways – like Facebook and text messages – for bullies to reach children. This was so different to the music I normally make but it was something I really wanted to do. We had a brilliant day in the studio. It would be great if we could get other schools involved to record their own version of the song. I want this song to help give children back some of the confidence that bullies take away from them. We have been talking to the Bully Busters organisation in Merseyside about how we can use it to help raise money for them.”

Jeff McMaster, from KHT, said:- “We are always looking for ways that we can help to improve our communities. Paul came to us with a great idea and a really important message. The song is brilliant and we hope it can be used to reach children being bullied who may feel they have nowhere to turn.”

Train Controller Thanks Life-saving Doctors

A Manchester based Train Controller Stephen Reynolds has just completed a gruelling 147 mile coast to coast bike ride across the north of England to thank the hospital and doctors who saved his baby daughter's life.  

Stephen, who works for train operating company First TransPennine Express (FTPE) took on the challenge to raise money for the IMAGINE Charity at the Alder Hey Hospital in Liverpool where his daughter was cared for earlier this year.  Born 10 weeks early and weighing a mere 3Ib 7oz, baby Sophia, was transferred to the Alder Hey Intensive Care Unit suffering from a life-threatening chest infection.   Thanks to the dedication of staff and specialist equipment at Alder Hey, little Sophia eventually managed to pull through and Steve was able to take his new baby home in January 2010.

Stephen said:- “Our family owe a lifelong gratitude to the wonderful doctors and Alder Hey. We have made our own personal long term financial commitment to the hospital’s IMAGINE Appeal, but we also wanted to do the bike ride as a special thank you. We hope the money raised will go towards giving other children a fighting chance of a long and happy life.”

Stephen and his brother completed the epic cycle trek from Whitehaven, Cumbria to Tynemouth, Tyne and Wear, earlier this month.   The IMAGINE charity helps the hospital to continue their pioneering work, to develop facilities and to offer the very highest standards of care to their young patients. To date, Stephen has raised over £2,000 for the appeal including two £100 donations from both First Group and the First TransPennine Express Charity Committee.   You can still support Stephen’s challenge and make a donation to the IMAGINE Appeal by visiting:- justgiving.com/Stephen-Reynolds73.