Christmas CD Raises Funds for Oakland Foundation Children’s Charity

Local businesses and musicians have come together to record a charity Christmas CD to raise funds and awareness of the work of The Oakland Foundation, which supports children and families in Redditch and Bromsgrove and the surrounding area.

The idea for recording the CD came after Handelsbanken’s Stourbridge branch manager, Richard Mander, won an unusual raffle prize; a recording session at Creative Design Studios, and rather than make his first solo CD, Richard decided instead that it would be fun to pull together a group of local business professionals and enlist Handelsbanken Bromsgrove Branch to make a charity Christmas CD and donate the sale proceeds to the The Oakland Foundation charity, towards their work with under privileged children in Redditch and Bromsgrove through projects based on health and nutrition, education and sport.

Richard commented: “Whilst the session was more ‘First Aid’ than ‘Live Aid’, everyone had great fun and with the pledges made on the day we aim to raise approximately £1,000 for The Oakland Foundation.”

Richard acknowledged the fantastic support he had received from Rob Linforth, MD of CDS Group and Tom Moore in the studio, and thanked CEO Dean Attwell and team members from Oakland International, key sponsor of The Oakland Foundation, as well as Curo Chartered Accountants, Thomas Horton Solicitors, Handlesbanken Bromsgrove, John Trusloves, CDS group and the band members from The Emberz for their contribution, who without which, the CD would not have been made possible.

With the help of local musicians, accountants, solicitors, Oakland International, Handelsbanken customers and staff, the final 4 track CD includes a Rock ‘n’ Roll version of White Christmas, two original songs kindly donated by local musicians Tony Nelson and Sam Ostler, and a Blue and White Christmas medley by band, The Emberz.

Oakland Foundation Trustee, Luke Attwell, commented: “The Oakland Foundation is extremely grateful to so many local Bromsgrove and Redditch businesses who have kindly donated their time in support of this project and the Foundation, and who share a passion and desire to address child deprivation on our door step.”

Earlier this year CDS raised over £1,400 for the Foundation and key supporter, Oakland International, has this year alone donated in excess of £70,000 through volunteering initiatives and donations as part of its continuing drive to make a real difference within the local community.

Priced at £5, ‘Have a (North Worcs) Rock n Roll Christmas’ CD is available to collect from CDS, Handelsbanken Bromsgrove Branch and Oakland International Redditch. Donations are welcome on the Oakland Foundation’s JustGiving page https://www.justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/oakland-foundation/Christmas2016