The famous marching band has today released an online video recording of the Toy Story hit You’ve Got a Friend in Me to help raise much-needed funds for the Jack & Jill Children’s Foundation emergency SOS appeal. The video can be accessed at www.facebook.com/artanemusic while donations can be made at www.jackandjill.ie

The band has valiantly come to the aid of the Foundation which is facing a €500,000 shortfall for its vital services for very sick children. Due to COVID-19, the charity has had to cancel a raft of fundraising events, while its nine charity shops have only recently re-opened after being closed for almost three months.

This year will be the first time since 1886 that the Artane Band will not line out for its music parades at major GAA fixtures. However, that hasn’t stopped the band from pulling out all the stops to support a very worthy cause.

The recording of the Randy Newman song You’ve Got A Friend in Me sees the Artane Band and the Artane Senior Band combine their talents in a concert band arrangement. The piece is performed by over 50 musicians with a combination of wind, brass and percussion instruments to create one outstanding virtual performance.

A Friend in Need The project is the brainchild of a team from the Artane School of Music and the video was produced by the director, Ronan O’Reilly, who ‘virtually conducted’ the band members to create a sensational sound:

“The Artane Band is all about supporting young people and supporting community and so when we heard of the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation

emergency SOS appeal, we wanted to help. With the current pandemic, we may be unable to march in Croke Park this summer, but that hasn’t stopped our members from parading at home to do our bit for Jack and Jill.

“The band members have been very busy practising over the past number of weeks, perfecting our performance of You’ve got a Friend in Me. We are now launching it online and we would urge members of the public to show their support for Jack and Jill and dig deep.”

Striking Right Note for former Dublin Goalie The Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation provides frontline home nursing and end-of-life support to 340 children across the country. These are children, from birth to five years of age, with highly complex medical and life-threatening conditions. Throughout this pandemic, home visits continue for nearly half of Jack & Jill families while for the remainder, in self-isolation, the charity’s specialist children’s nurses continue their support by phone, video calls and even garden visits.

For former Dublin GAA goalkeeper and Jack and Jill board member, John O’Leary whose son Tom (9) was supported by Jack & Jill until he was five years’ old, this initiative is close to home:

“The song You’ve got a Friend in Me speaks to the heart and soul of the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation. For me, the Artane Band has been a constant feature in my life for many years, both on and off the field, and it is wonderful to see the band coming to Jack and Jill’s aid and being that wonderful friend when we need them. Never has Jack and Jill’s work been more vital. Never has the generosity of the public been more needed. Please support the efforts of the Artane Band and donate what you can at www.jackandjill.ie”

People can show their support for the Artane Band’s special recording in support of the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation’s emergency SOS appeal by: · Visiting www.jackandjill.ie or www.idonate.ie/artaneschoolofmusic – every €16 donation funds one hour of home nursing support for one of Jack & Jill’s 340 precious children across the country, including 91 in Dublin.

· Texting WECARE to 50300 to donate €4*. *Jack & Jill will receive a minimum of €3.60. Service Provider: LIKECHARITY. Helpline: 076 6805278.