ROBBIE Williams will lend a hand to the Hillsborough justice campaign by helping record a Christmas single to raise money for families.
Liverpool MP Steve Rotheram, Liverpool Legend Kenny Dalglish and renowned music producer Guy Chambers launched the plan to re-release ‘He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother’ by The Hollies.
The song was played during an emotional tribute to the 96 who died at Hillsborough at Goodison Park last month after the release of the independent panel’s report.
Robbie will be joined by Paloma Faith, Mel C, Rebecca Ferguson, Beverley Knight, and Shane McGowan.
Mick Jones from The Clash, Peter Hooton of The Farm, Pete Wylie, The Justice Tonight band, Richard Hawley, Chris Sharrock of Oasis, and Ren Harvieu are also in the line-up as are Dave McCabe from The Zutons, Paul Heaton of the Beautiful South, Hollie Cook, Jon McClure of Reverend & The Makers, John Power from Cast and Gerry Marsden.
Mr Rotheram, Labour MP for Walton, said: “For 23 years the bereaved Hillsborough families have carried the eternal flame of hope that we would one day see those responsible brought to justice. All profits from this CD will go towards assisting with any legal costs incurred in that fight. The families have suffered enough.
"Guy is going to produce something that is a fantastic piece of music.
"Hopefully the costs of the inquests will be taken care of, but there are no guarantees."
Last week attorney general Dominic Grieve said he would apply to the High Court to quash the “accidental death” inquest verdicts, which was based on lies. But it has not yet guaranteed that the families will not have to meet their own legal costs at the inquests.
He said if the government did agree to fund the inquests the money would be used towards any other legal costs.
The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra will also perform on the single and a video will also be produced featuring celebrities such as comedian John Bishop.
The record will be released on December 17 with the aim of beating the X Factor to the Christmas number one.
Kenny Dalglish said: "Hopefully the [final] outcome is getting closer and closer. Raising some money with the record is very important."
All artists involved are giving their time for free and all proceeds from the sale of the single will go towards the Hillsborough families legal costs. Mr Chambers said it would probably require around 500,000 records to be sold to secure the number one slot and that would raise about £1m.
Mr Chambers said Sir Paul McCartney has also been approached to take part.
Hillsborough families thank everyone involved in new charity single >>>
