NHS choir at hospital that treated UK PM releases song

Staff at a London hospital where UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson received treatment for COVID-19 have released a charity single to raise money for the National Health Service (NHS).

Members of the hospital staff choir, Breathe Harmony, recorded a cover version of singer Mariah Carey's 1993 hit, "Anytime You Need a Friend," featuring more than 100 doctors, nurses, and hospital workers.

Established in 2017, the choir has around 30 regular members and is run by Breathe Arts Health Research, a charity that aims to enrich healthcare environments for patients and staff.

The charity's founder, Yvonne Farquharson, said the track celebrated the heroism of NHS staff working to combat the pandemic.

Johnson spent a week at St. Thomas' Hospital, of which three days were in the intensive care unit.

He was given oxygen but was not put on a ventilator, before ultimately recovering and being discharged.

"I'm sure whichever hospital he would have ended up at he would have been treated by some incredibly talented, gifted and most importantly, kind NHS staff," Farquharson said.

The charity single was produced entirely in lockdown, with each choir member joining weekly virtual rehearsals before recording their individual performances on mobile phones and laptops.

Released on Friday, the video for the song has already generated over 45,000 views on YouTube, with Carey herself endorsing the track and saying it brought tears to her eyes.

Proceeds from the single will benefit NHS charities Breathe Arts Health Research and the MyCool Music Foundation.

(Image Credit: AP)