A single in aid of Hillsborough families has been released today, with many backing the single to become the Christmas number one.
The Justice Collective song, a cover version of ‘He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother’ by The Hollies, features a number of famous voices, such as Rebecca Ferguson, Robbie Williams, Mel C, and has received support from Liverpool comedian John Bishop, and local football legends Kenny Dalglish, Peter Reid and Alan Hansen, among others.
Last month it was also revealed that Sir Paul McCartney is featuring on the single as a vocalist as well as a guitar solo.
The Christmas number one spot has often gone to winners of The X Factor in recent years, however Liverpool actor Ricky Tomlinson is hoping that this year bucks the trend and the Hillsborough single gets the top spot.
He told JMU Journalism: “I think the release of this record is going to bring back all those memories of what it’s like to lose someone, particularly at Christmas time. I hope it goes to number one and I hope it beats the X Factor by a mile. The X Factor is manufactured and this is from the heart.
“I hope it’s Christmas number one, but either way it will be the number one to the families, to the Liverpool supporter, to the supporters everywhere in the country. I’d love it to be number one, I’d love it to beat the X Factor,” he added.
Phil Hammond, whose 14-year-old son was tragically killed in the 1989 disaster, hopes that the single will raise awareness of the police cover-up that followed the events at Hillsborough.
He told JMU Journalism: “It means an awful lot to me and my family because now people are starting to look up and realise that these people have been telling the truth all along, they’re finally believing us.”
The proceeds from the single will help to pay for the legal costs of families of the 96 people who died at Hillsborough as they continue the fight for justice.