Junior football players in Burgess Hill record Christmas music video for charity

Burgess Hill Town Juniors U7s sang along to Mariah Carey’s classic ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ in aid of Rockinghorse Children’s Charity.

People can see the Hillians’ video on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISQMSejBcII and donate to the JustGiving page at justgiving.com/page/bhtfcu7christmas.

Andy Rumble from the club said: “Our very talented U7s have had great fun making a Christmas song.”

He said Brighton-based Rockinghorse supports unwell children and kids with disabilities across Sussex, helping babies, children and young people, along with their families, at The Royal Alex Children’s Hospital and The Trevor Mann Baby Unit in Brighton, plus all of the specialist children’s wards and baby units in Sussex.

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Andy said: “As we are a football club for children, we wanted to do something to help children, and ideally local children. Some of us have had babies or children in the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital at various times so we know first-hand the good that they do and are happy to be able to contribute to this in a small way, while doing something that the children in our football club enjoyed.”

He added: “Since 1967 (Rockinghorse) have supported nearly a million children with lifesaving medical equipment, support for families, environments and spaces for children and additional staff.”

Among the players taking part were Harley Calvo-Griffin (seven), who said: “At first, I wasn't very confident singing, but I enjoyed it and really liked seeing all my friends in the video.”

Jesse Rumble (six) said: “I didn't think we were allowed to change the words to Christmas songs but in the end, I couldn’t stop watching the video on YouTube!”

Oscar Kember (six) said: “It was great to combine my two favourite clubs: football and drama, and I had great fun.”

The video shows the young players singing, dancing and playing football. There were prizes for the best singing and costumes too, with Arthur Brown, Joey Smith and Charlie Field being recognised.

Emma Cunliffe, supporter engagement manager at Rockinghorse, said, “At Christmas we are always overwhelmed by the support we receive from the local community. And this video is a great example of some of the innovative fundraising that goes on all around Sussex. The team have really done an amazing job; it’s not easy to organise something like this but it’s brilliantly done, and we want to say a massive thank you to Andy and every single member of the team for working so hard to make this video and for helping to fundraise for Rockinghorse this Christmas.”