This week, we are honouring the work of a true Cumbrian unsung community hero.

Gill Wadeson of Ainstable, runs a community choir for young people and they made an online song during the first lockdown to raise money for the NHS.

The project was initiated by the choir’s director Gill Wadeson who wanted to give the children a project to work on from their homes to inspire and reconnect them during the lock down.

The incredibly talented youth choir is based in North Cumbria for children aged 8 to 18 years old who enjoy and have a talent for singing.

Originally, Gill and the choir had hoped to raise £1,000, but they smashed this target within days. The video has also been viewed more than 3,000 times since it was posted on YouTube.

“I wanted to help children in the choir isolating at home to reconnect with one another and give them something fun to do through music during the lockdown,” said Gill, the choir’s director. “To create a positive and lasting memory during such unusual and challenging times and raise whatever funds we can to say thank you to those helping us during this time.”

Gill sought the help of local creative businesses to help bring the project to life including Heavy Rain Sound Studio in Kendal, who merged all the recordings together into the single track, giving it a professional studio finish.

“It was challenging to recreate a Sir Paul McCartney song from scratch remotely during a pandemic, but also one of the most honourable; especially to raise funds for the NHS.

“We’re going to keep making a big deal about this amazing piece of music by the choir, and can’t wait to work with them again. It was a wonderful project to help create in collaboration with Heavy Rain Sound Studio.”

Cumbria County Councillor Karen Lockney praised the efforts of Gill to inspire young people during this difficult time.

“Gill is an inspiration to the local community and she inspires so many young people to enjoy singing and enjoy being part of a group. Young people have had such a tough time during the pandemic, and the way Gill reached out to them and gave them a focus and a way to contribute and be together even if isolated is something to be treasured.”