ALZHEIMER’S SOCIETY’S SPORT UNITED
AGAINST DEMENTIA

Wills & The Willing
Featuring Football Legends Petr Cech & Gareth Ainsworth

Drawing Straws

The rule of six doesn’t just apply to us mere mortals. Poor Rudolph has a real dilemma on his hooves this year. Three of Santa’s faithful reindeer are going to have to stay behind on Christmas Eve, and their drawing straws to find out who…

Rudolph says nine’s a crowd
Even Santa’s bubble only six are allowed
So the reindeers are busy drawing straws
To see who’ll ride the sleigh this year with Santa Claus

It’s been quite a year for Ian Wills (described in The Times as “The Ian Dury of the 21st Century”) and his band The Willing. Their long-awaited album London Country was released in October to huge critical acclaim and the first two singles taken from it, Iceberg and Idaho, climbed high in the Country Music Charts and achieved mass airplay in the USA and elsewhere.

Known for his insightful lyrics, the highest of musicianship and perfect production, this special festive release is no different. Ian charts the events of the last 9 months as only he could. From Captain Tom, clapping at 8pm, protecting the NHS, masks and hand gel to Marcus Rashford and vaccines – all done with the most joyful, memorable and insanely catchy melody!

Petr Cech

And of course, it wouldn’t be a Wills & The Willing record without a special guest star or two! This time Ian has again turned to his friends at football’s highest level and engaged the expert drumming of Chelsea FC legend Petr Cech and the perhaps surprising vocal talent of Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth. Everything comes together to make this a Christmas single LIKE NO OTHER!

Gareth Ainsworth.

And, most importantly, all profits are going to SPORT UNITED AGAINST DEMENTIA…

Sport United Against Dementia (SUAD) is a pioneering partnership between Alzheimer’s Society and the nation’s most loved sports that will shine a spotlight on dementia in a way that has never been seen before.

The campaign will help spearhead change by transforming the way the industry supports people affected by dementia, sharing best practice, and finding positive solutions for past and present sportspeople, their families and fans up and down the country.

Profits raised will help Alzheimer’s Society reach more people through the charity’s vital services such as its Dementia Connect support line, which have been used over 2.7million times since March. People with dementia have been worst hit by coronavirus both in terms of deaths from the virus, but also because of the knock-on effect of lockdown causing isolation and interruption to health and social care services, with an Alzheimer’s Society survey revealing that more than four in five (82%) have reported a deterioration in people with dementia’s symptoms.

Alex Hyde-Smith, Director of Fundraising at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “There are an estimated 850,000 people with dementia in the UK and we know that several of the nation’s sporting greats have sadly been affected by the devastating condition. Like many charities, our fundraising income has taken a hit this year, so we’re hugely thankful to be benefiting from this fantastic track, so we can continue to harness the positive power and incredible reach of sport to ensure no-one faces dementia alone and without adequate support.”

Sport has a unique ability to connect people of all ages, races and backgrounds. It creates memories that last a lifetime and engages people with dementia like nothing else.

Wills & The Willing
London Country  The Album
OUT NOW! www.willsandthewilling.com  

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