Award-winning songwriter and leading vocal impressionist team up for Chestnut Tree House charity single

Actress and singer Maddi Cryer has teamed up with hit songwriter Valerie Avon to release a charity single for Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice.
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The friends, who live in Ferring, wrote We’ll All Watch the Wizard of Oz last year and, having received tremendous support from the community, are now hoping it will raise vital funds for the hospice.

Maddi, who has been singing since she was 16, said: “We both live locally to the children’s hospice and are long-term supporters of the amazing work that they do.”

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Early in her career, it was realised she had a strong talent for impersonating other singers. She has become a leading vocal impressionist and has found fame on the cabaret circuit.

Following her success on television, she was asked to appear at The London Palladium with Bob Hope on one of his last visits to this country, which she considers to be a highlight of her career.

She was asked to join the cast of a leading show in South Africa and ended up staying for two years. She then worked for international cruise lines and entered the world of acting, including roles in Dr Who on BBC One and Lightfields on ITV.

Valerie, whose married name is Valerie Murtagh, has written many songs for the likes of Cliff Richard, Tom Jones and The Shadows, for which she received an Ivor Novello Award.

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She and her songwriting partner Harold Spiro wrote Long Live Love, the song performed by Olivia Newton John at the Brighton Dome to represent the United Kingdoem in the Eurovision Contest in 1974. It was the year Abba won with Waterloo and the UK was placed fifth.

Actress and singer Maddi Cryer with hit songwriter Valerie AvonActress and singer Maddi Cryer with hit songwriter Valerie Avon
Actress and singer Maddi Cryer with hit songwriter Valerie Avon

Maddie and Valerie’s charity single is described as a British folk rock song celebrating life’s quirky ups and downs. They will be giving 50 per cent of sales direct to the hospice.

Caroline Roberts-Quigley, community fundraiser, said: “On behalf of everyone at Chestnut Tree House, I’d like to say a big thank you to Maddi and Valerie for their amazing support.

“The pandemic has had a huge impact on our funding, as it has done on all charities. Our fundraising income dropped by 70 per cent when we had to close all our shops and all events were postponed or cancelled.

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“Things are starting to improve now but we still need our community’s support. Without people like you, hospice care wouldn’t be possible. Thank you.”

We’ll All Watch the Wizard of Oz is available for download via Amazon Music.

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