Local Lewisham rappers and the NHS choir are releasing a music video today in support of the Save Lewisham A&E Campaign.
Featuring local rapper Question Musiq and The Lewisham Healthcare NHS Choir the video also features Millwall players sporting ‘Save Lewisham A&E’ t-shirts worn during the warm up before their recent Championship match against Burnley. The accompanying song became available on Itunes yesterday, January 28.
Pic: Save Lewisham A&E
The video also features scenes from the Save Lewisham Hospital march and rally on January 26.
Jos Bell from the Save Lewisham Hospital Campaign told EastLondonLines the hospital are entirely supportive of the video and that Saturday’s march demonstrated how much people care about the Hospital. She said: “Saturday showed that 25,000 people and small children in buggies felt strongly about the Save Lewisham A&E Campaign in an entirely peaceably protest to show Jeremy Hunt how much the Lewisham A&E means to them.
“We had people come from as far afield as Newcastle, so it shows this is now a national issue.”
Produced in just two weeks, those working on the track worked through several nights in aid of the campaign. The lyrics describe rapper Questions teenage experience of being saved at Lewisham A&E after being admitted with a burst appendix.
Question, who has already worked with various youth and homeless charities, is determined to help keep Lewisham Hospital from demolition and closure. He said: “It’s great to be involved in such an important campaign. I have got a really good feeling about this project as it really show the people power behind the campaign. I’m really looking forward to helping increase awareness as this matter is so close to my heart.”
The Lewisham Healthcare NHS Choir who were originally assembled by Gareth Malone for his BBC Sing While You Work programme has continued to work and perform together with the support of Lewisham hospital.
A&E Consultant and tenor singer, Dr Chidi Ejimofo, who also working on a track of his own, said: “Our A&E has just had a £12million re-vamp – we see blue light patients every day. Many of these would not make it to neighbouring hospitals.
“The idea that this facility is to be knocked down along with our acclaimed ICU, as well as the maternity and paediatric units is quite simply hideous.
“It will not save lives and it will not save money. Lewisham cannot withstand such a mindless assault. We ask Jeremy Hunt to do the decent thing and save our hospital.”
Tomorrow sees the campaign visit Whitehall from 10am where the Hospital choir will sing a couple of pieces outside the Department of Health.
Bell added: “Jeremy Hunt needs to listen to the people who know how much this hospital provision is needed. It will cost people’s lives if he listens to Matthew Kershaw.”
The track, entitled ‘Save Lewisham A+E’ is available on ITUNES today under the artist QUESTION.
