A GROUP of secondary school students from Cork are in the running to bag the coveted Christmas number one spot over in Ireland with a charity cover of a familiar classic.
Pupils from St. Colman’s College in County Cork have got together to record a version of the Bill Withers classic in time for the festive celebrations.
It’s not just the pupils either, with members of staff from the boys’ secondary school in Fermoy contributing to the emotionally-charged track.
The group chose to record Lean On Me after the boys enjoyed some success while performing it at a recent carol service.
Performing as #ColmansStandTogether, the group are using the track to raise funds for Crumlin Children's Hospital, the Ronald McDonald house, Bumbleance and all those families affected by childhood cancer.
It’s a cause close to the hearts of all those involved with the school as one of their Transition Year students is currently battling cancer at Crumlin Children’s Hospital.
According to the #ColmansStandTogether fundraising page, the group has already smashed its initial target of €20,000 and are well on their way to reaching their next target of €25,000.
It's already topped the iTunes chart in Ireland, beating off competition from Miley Cyrus and Mark Ronson.
Speaking to Sky News, student and charity single lead singer Dara O’Murchu opened up about the message of the song and their fundraising efforts.
"It's tough when a classmate is going through such a difficult time and sometimes it hard to know what's the right thing to do,” he said.
"The words of the song are a way for us to show our support. The song shows how no matter what's going in your life there is always someone to lean on!"
Anyone wanting to donate to the fundraising initiative can do so here.
The St. Colman’s College cover of Lean on Me can be purchased now on iTunes and will help the song climb up the charts.
All proceeds from the song will go to Crumlin Children's Hospital, Ronald McDonald House, BUMBLEance, and families affected by childhood cancer.
BUMBLEance lays on specially designed kid-friendly ambulances, while the Ronald McDonald House is a charity that provides accommodation for families while their children are being treated.
