THE Justice Collective’s Hillsborough tribute single is Christmas number one.
Their cover of He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother has landed the top spot on the Official Christmas Singles Chart with sales of over 269,000.
The campaign has beaten X Factor winner James Arthur’s Impossible, racing across the finish line over 45,000 copies ahead of their rival. Last week’s chart topper Arthur has had another huge week of sales, shifting a further 224,000 copies in its second week to bring its tally to 713,000 since release.
He Ain’t Heavy started the week trailing the X Factor winner by 3,000 copies. By Wednesday, December 19 The Justice Collective had overtaken James Arthur by 3,400, before extending their lead to 23,000 copies by Friday.
Organiser Steve Rotherham, MP for Liverpool Walton, said: “We have done in nine weeks what it normally takes nine months or more to achieve, working with a phenomenally dedicated team all of whom have worked for free and displayed total professionalism throughout.”
Both Christmas number one contenders have raised vital funds for their designated charities. The all-star group, The Justice Collective, featuring a host of musiciansvfaces including Sir Paul McCartney, Robbie Williams, Mel C, Rebecca Ferguson, Paloma Faith and Holly Johnson, are raising funds and awareness for the ongoing battle of the families of the Hillsborough tragedy.
Official Charts Company managing director, Martin Talbot, said: “Congratulations to the Justice Collective on becoming the 2012 Official Christmas Number 1 with He Ain't Heavy. They fought a sterling campaign against one of the biggest singles of the year in James Arthur's Impossible and are worthy winners - in aid of a very worthy cause.”
