Kiwi organises international kids album for refugees   25 Sep 2015

Kiwi children's musicians organises international celebrity filled kids album for Syrian refugees

JUST weeks after the birth of his second child, Otago born children’s musician Dean O’Brien was left devastated by the horrific plight of young Syrian refugees unfolding in Europe.

O'Brien has lived in the United Kingdom for the past 13 years and the now Manchester-based entertainer known better to his young audience as Mr Yipadee, pledged to use his contacts and skills to record a fun family album and raise money directly for the Save the Children teams battling to help on the ground. Over the past three years, Mr Yipadee has had two albums that have topped the UK Children's Charts.

Sing-along for Syria was born and, within a matter of days, a galaxy of stars from the world of TV donated their time and talents in the recording studio to lend their voices to the compilation of children’s songs.

They include Coronation Street star Tina O’Brien, who put aside time despite her commitments filming live episodes for 60th anniversary specials. There is also a variety of UK based children's TV Stars and even New Zealand's International Best Selling Children's Author, Craig Smith aka Mr Wonky Donkey. Queenstown based Craig recently returned from the UK after being invited, alongside Mr Yipadee, to be on the headliners in the Kidz Field at world famous Glastonbury Music Festival. After being asked to join the album, Craig said "with the birth of my daughter earlier this year, how could I stand by and watch without getting involved. I hope that this album can spread joy to the parents and kids that buy it and help with needed resources to the kids and parents of Syria".

All money raised from purchase of the album, released today, will go directly to the Save the Children’s Child Refugee Crisis Appeal.

Dean is dad to one month old Ellora and three year old Evolet, said he woke in the night with the concept for the album and within 48 hours had over a dozen TV presenters offering to join on the album.

He said: “As a parent, I can’t just sit by and watch what is happening. We wouldn’t allow this to happen to our children, why would we sit by and watch while the Syrian children suffer?

“Every penny that we get from iTunes for Sing-along for Syria will go to the refugees most in need and I am appealing to everyone to get involved”

Money raised through sale of the album, launched today on iTunes will go directly to the appeal.

One of the song's on the Mr Yipadee songs on the album is currently being published as a children's picture book and will be released across New Zealand in October next year with Publishing Company Scholastic. Dean said "I'm so excited to return home with my wife and daughter's next year to see my family and singing my book in schools across New Zealand"

Nobody who has worked on the album has taken a penny, all are volunteers, including the sound recording artists, studio engineers and those putting together and hosting the website.

More information is available on the Sing Along for Syria website at www.singalongforsyria.com

You can also follow and send videos for Sing Along for Syria on Twitter @singalongsyria and through hashtag #singalongforsyria

Side bar

Stars singing on the album include:

• Tina O’Brien, as seen on Coronation Street

• Cerrie Burnell as seen on CBeebies,

• Andy Day as seen on Andy’s Dinosaur Adventures

• Rebecca Keatley as seen on Let’s Play

• Kate Thistleton as seen on CBBC

• Alex Winters as seen on CBeebies

• Katy Ashworth as seen on I Can Cook

• Cat Sandion as seen on CBeebies and Hi-5

• Luke Roberts as seen on CITV

• Craig Smith of number one selling hit Wonky Donkey,

• Derek Moran and Jen Pringle, both seen on Channel 5’s Milkshake

• Sid Sloane, as seen on Let’s Play

• Emma Nowell, from CITV’s Hi-5 and Cartoonito

• Dean O’Brien, Mr Yipadee - Number One Best Selling Children's Musician and Author.

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