Back in 2016, I was honoured to represent Hunslet RLFC in the Rugby League Choir at Wembley to sing Abide With Me. This was on the hallowed turf of Wembley just before the Challenge Cup final between Warrington and Hull FC. That was a marvellous experience, but the 32 members of the choir representing the clubs in the last rounds went their ways.
Along came Covid and with many people suffering mental health problems in its aftermath, State of Mind got in touch. State of Mind helps and educates rugby league teams and individual players, helping them to stay positive and showing pathways to get help. Two songs had been specially written for the charity – would we like to be a part of it?
Several of the original RL choir said ‘Yes,’ and so last winter we went to a recording studio in Manchester to meet up with a choir from London and our musical director, Steve.
When you see pop stars recording songs on television, you only see a few seconds of the task. A full, long day in Manchester to record two songs left us very tired but happy. The first song, ‘We are United’ came out in time for the Rugby League World Cup – raising funds for State of Mind.
Now the second song, Whatever is Today, There is Tomorrow’ is out. It’s an uplifting song, full of positive and sympathetic messages; again it’s raising funds for charity. If you would like to listen, it’s on Spotify here, as well as other platforms.
The video with it is pretty good too – I just get in near the end on the left of the choir. It won’t bring us fame and fortune, but it’s for a good cause and it’s professionally produced – and it sounds brilliant.
When life is difficult, Samaritans are here – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
This post was written by Pat Benatmane
Photo: Pat (front left) recording with the choir
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What a wonderful song and for such a special cause.