Emotive-Imagery

KEEP X FACTOR OFF NO. 1 AND HELP HOMELESS AND HOUSING CHARITIES!

WANT to stop the X Factor winner being number one for yet another Christmas? Then download a new Christmas anthem for the homeless and help a Liverpool housing charity into the bargain.

Liverpool Habitat for Humanity, in Granby-Toxteth, will receive half of a 20% share of all profits from ‘Vernon's Song', voiced by Vernon Burgess, the UK's best loved and best known Big Issue vendor and star of long running BBC cult series ‘Skint'.

Available to download from iTunes and Amazon, the single's infectious chorus is provided by 2009 X Factor boot camp girl band Belle Sorelle and creates a haunting contrast against Vernon's honest verse.

Vernon explains how homelessness comes from circumstance, not choice. He delivers a well scripted view of the day to day struggle when living on the street, the love he has for his children and delivers a powerful message on behalf of the homeless.

Birmingham-based Big Issue seller Vernon became a minor celebrity when he appeared on the BBC's ‘Skint' series. His ability to laugh and smile in the face of tremendous adversity has warmed many hearts over the years and modern episodes now feature Vernon solely.

Van Garber, executive director of Liverpool Habitat for Humanity, which helps low-income families in the city to help themselves on to the property ladder, said: "We're delighted that Vernon and his producer, blu-jam, have chosen to make us one of their charities and to give us 10% of the profits.

"This year's X Factor winner is odds-on favourite at the bookies to have the Christmas No. 1 single yet again, but it would be great if kind hearted individuals and charitable souls, or just the army of anti-X Factor protest voters, could band together and take Vernon to the top of the charts instead."

Liverpool Habitat for Humanity is building 32 low-cost homes on a site off Kingsley Road. Future home owners spend 500 hours physically working on site - called ‘sweat equity' - in return for a £10,000 contribution to their deposit. They work alongside other volunteers, including individuals, community and faith groups and corporate team-builds to help build the homes.

Van added: "Vernon's even going to be volunteering on-site in Liverpool to help us with our tight deadlines trying to get a family in before Christmas."

Other organisations that will share in 20% of the profits from Vernon's Song include Bristol based Caring at Christmas, a charity funded principally by donations, which provides a safe and welcoming shelter with food and support for the homeless of Bristol; and ThamesReach, a London based charity which helps homeless people find homes, build relationships and lead fulfilling lives .

Remaining profits will be split 50/50 between the single's producer Tim Sherlock-Brown, of blu jam, and Vernon Burgess, after costs, charitable donation and Belle Sorelle artist royalty.

Vernon and Tim have a long term vision. They'd like to give up their respective professions (Selling the Big Issue and AudioVisual) and commit a great part of their lives to music and helping the homeless, developing the relationships they have so far formed with the chosen charities and putting Vernon's fame to good use.

They'd love to produce an album with lyrics and voice provided by homeless people from all over the UK, but this all rests upon the success of Vernon's Song. You can download Vernon's Song for just 79 pence at: www.itunes.apple.com or www.amazon.co.uk; or join the Facebook group ‘Vernon's Song' for Christmas No. 1 at www.facebook.com.

For more about Liverpool Habitat for Humanity, including ways to support, volunteering or how to become a home owner, go to www.liverpoolhfh.org.uk.

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To arrange an interview with Vernon contact tim@blu-jam.com / 07811 595 263.

For more on blu-jam go to www.blu-jam.com.

Caption:
1. Britain's favourite Big Issue seller, Vernon Burgess, the voice of Vernon's Song.

2. Vernon Burgess pictured with girl group Belle Sorelle.

Editor's notes:

Liverpool Habitat for Humanity is building 32 homes for partner families on just over two acres of land generously donated by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese, on Kingsley Road, in Granby/Toxteth. The project has also received significant funding from NewHeartlands, the Housing Market Renewal Initiative (HMRI) on Merseyside.

To date, Habitat for Humanity International has built 300,000 homes and operates in 92 countries. The Granby/Toxteth site is the first such project in the Northwest and the largest in Britain at a cost of circa £1.9 million.

The Liverpool HFH model - including the distinct "sweat equity" component - enables families traditionally excluded from home ownership the opportunity to own an affordable home. LHFH is offering these affordable homes on a ‘shared equity' basis.

LHFH has a comprehensive procedure for selecting families. There are three main criteria for qualification: to have a strong connection with Liverpool (eg. live and /or work in the city); to be willing to partner with LHFH to put 500 hours of "sweat equity" into building on the project and to have an income between £10 - £20k. Applicants who live, work or have a strong connection with the Liverpool 8 postcode area will be preferred.

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Issued for & on behalf of Liverpool Habitat for Humanity by Active PR. Press information from Linda Bright tel: 0771 002 0026 - email linda@activepr.co.uk
Ref: apr2009/liverpoolhfh/releases/vernonssong2011lb