Bedfordshire Violence and Exploitation Reduction Unit’s (VERU) Just Drop It campaign has inspired the release of new charity single by CLICK Arts foundation.
The second of it’s kind by East Midlands charity, CLICK Arts Foundation, the charity single is due to be released at the end of August to coincide with Luton hosting the iconic knife angel sculpture.
Just Drop It, which launched last year, highlights the impact of knife crime on families and communities and works to deter young people from carrying or using knives.
As part of the campaign activity, two shorts films have been released which share the stories of Ashish Nahar and Azaan ‘AJ’ Kaleem who lost their lives to knife crime in Bedfordshire.
‘Ashish’s Story’ has since been viewed more than 2,000 times on YouTube alone, while ‘AJ’s story’ has been shown exclusively in schools, reaching more than 10,000 young people.
The full film is set to be released to the public this month.
CLICK Arts Foundation is a UK charity which gives grants of up to £2000 to grassroots projects that promote wellbeing, inclusivity and confidence through the performing and creative arts.
Last year’s Charity Single “You Will be Found” from Dear Evan Hansen celebrated the work of volunteers. It involved eight local charities and community groups, as well as a virtual choir all sending in their singing tracks from around the world. The single raised over £800 which was then distributed between the charities involved.
This year, CLICK is collaborating with VERU to raise awareness of Just Drop It and support the continued effort to tackle knife crime.
Cara Gavin, Head of Service at the VERU, said: “This is an excellent opportunity to further the reach of Just Drop It and a message that is crucial in the counties joint effort to tackle knife crime.
“As a unit established the help bring community and statutory services together, we’re pleased to continue in our mission to partner with organisation that have a vested interest in keeping the young people of Bedfordshire safe from violence and exploitation.”
The charity single will use footage from the two films in it’s own video which will be released on YouTube.
Dr Audrey Tang, Chair of Trustees at CLICK Arts Foundation, said: “The song being released is David Essex’s “Falling Angels Riding” – particularly significant in terms of it’s lyrics which talk about the desire to prosper, but the lack of opportunity available – something we see so often with youth groups and arts groups being defunded all the time.”
“By reaching new audiences with each performance or display, arts and performances increase awareness and refresh anti-crime messages for those who may have heard but forgotten them.”
While the cover licence for the song has been purchased from Easy Song, BMG Music has very kindly given permission for a video to be released free of charge which means that the money raised can go direct to the charities involved.
CLICK is working with the United African Association Dancing Drums who are providing the percussion, and the single is being recorded, mixed and mastered at FitDog Studios, Northamptonshire.
Janice Essam, recording percussion with the United African Dancing Drums, said: “I’m proud to be involved because my own life has been touched by knife crime, and to be able to be part of something that helps give back and raise awareness is so important.”
