Kevin Rogers and John Griff (front) with fellow musicians and singers on the single in aid of the Lewis Foundation
World Cancer Day, which takes place this month, is a day set aside to raise worldwide awareness of the disease, to improve education and to drive personal, collective and government action.
To mark the event in 2021, lawyer Kevin Rogers and broadcaster John Griff teamed up to record a fundraising single in aid of The Lewis Foundation, a Northamptonshire charity that delivers gifts to cancer patients in hospital.
Now, ahead of World Cancer Day on February 4, the two have recorded their version of the Bob Dylan song Make You Feel My Love, which will be streamed on Amazon, Spotify, iTunes and Apple Music. They have also opened a Just Giving page to raise money for the charity, looking to beat a target of £1,080.
The Lewis Foundation has delivered more than 75,000 gifts and support packs to adult cancer patients. It was founded by husband and wife Lee and Lorraine Lewis after Lee’s mother was hospitalised with cancer in 2016. Today, the charity has almost 50 volunteers and hundreds of supporters. The Lewis Foundation has gone from delivering 80 gift packs a month to one hospital, to delivering over 2,500 gifts to hospitals across the Midlands every month.
“I lost my best friend Graham to cancer nine years ago,” said Mr Rogers, chairman of Wilson Browne Solicitors and past president of Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce. “I have lost family members and friends. What Lee and Lorraine do week after week for 15 hospitals is a shining example of kindness. Funding these gifts takes dedication and effort so if we can help on this day of all days then we have played a small part in helping them carry on supporting others.”
Last year, Kevin and John, who presents on BBC Radio Northampton, recorded a version of Billy Bragg’s Tank Park Salute. This year they are joined by business consultant Ian Taylor, from Tinderbox Ltd – who has toured with Sir Cliff Richard – on piano and Beccy Hurrell on flute and vocals. Beccy is director at Beccy Hurrell Voice & Arts and looks after the KGH Choir from Kettering General Hospital who provide the backing vocals on this year’s track.
Make You Feel My Love, licensed by Sony Music Publishing (UK) Ltd, will launch on February 4 on Kevin’s LinkedIn page www.linkedin.com/in/kevinrogersdisputesolver/. To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising/makeyoufeelmylove
“Many people have contributed to the song and video production in the hope that others will donate to the JustGiving Page, stream the song, buy it or share it,” said Mr Rogers. “It is our way of raising awareness and hopefully some funds, as well as a tribute to those we lost and those living with cancer.”