Sheffield students launch campaign to raise money for children affected by war

The Year 5 and 6 pupils at Anston Greenlands Primary School, in North Anston, have written a song called ‘The Loudest Voice’ to raise money for War Child, which provides assistance to children in areas experiencing conflict and the aftermath of conflict.

They officially launched the music video for the single on Thursday, March 12, after which it was posted on YouTube and the school's website in an effort to encourage people to donate to the charity.

Deputy Headteacher, Kate Roberts, who also teaches Year 6, said the children have been learning about war and conflict as part of their current curriculum.

She said: “Currently, they are looking at the Arab–Israeli conflict and the children learnt how in each war there are always children who are directly affected by the fighting and are forced to live on the streets.

“We got all 61 students in a classroom and they all gathered around the tables with big pieces of paper writing down lyric ideas, then we’d keep picking some out and they’d all vote on them. Our headteacher is a musician so he helped out too.”

The children wanted the backing track to be piano-based, favouring the style of pop-sensation Lewis Capaldi, and gave their views on aspects of the melody and rhythm.

Ms. Roberts added: “Since launching the music video it has nearly 2,500 views already – it’s fantastic.”

War Child helps children that have been affected by war, providing them with an education and helping them to deal with what has happened in the past so they can start afresh.

In an effort to raise as much money as they can, the children at Anston Greenlands Primary will also be holding a benefit concert on Thursday, March 26, where they will be playing their song and holding a raffle and tombolas.

The children have created single covers for their song, and they will be selling merchandise at the concert featuring this design. All proceeds raised, including the money from ticket sales, will be donated to War Child.