My Darling | Chalmers News PR

Coventry musician’s heartfelt remix for Grief Awareness Week

Posted on November 29, 2021November 29, 2021 by admin

A MOBO Award-nominated musician from Coventry is releasing a poignant remixed version of her charity record to mark National Grief Awareness Week from Thursday.

My Darling, Sandra Godley, National Grief Awareness Week 2021

A new orchestral mix of My Darling, will be available to download on Friday, a song which its writer Sandra Godley, hopes will provide some support for those grieving at Christmas.

The original version of My Darling, which was first released in August, has already raised more than £1,000 for three local charities in the wake of the pandemic – Surviving Bereavement, Molly Olly’s Wishes and Coventry and Warwickshire Mind.

It is a particularly heartfelt piece of work for the Bristol-born musician and local radio presenter, Sandra, who is still grieving the loss of her own aunt to the virus in April last year.

On announcing the remix, she said: “Grief affects us every day of the year. As we approach Christmas, many people like me will be challenged by memories of loved ones. There will certainly be an empty chair around the dining table at my house.

“I’m hoping this song will be a help to everyone experiencing grief during Christmas time. We can walk this journey together. ‘Grieving is changing me. I’ll make it through’ are lines in the song where dreams become alive for the future and hope leads us all towards a better day.”

My Darling: Orchestra Remix is the result of a collaboration between Sandra, Wings Media Group and producer Matt Cossey and guitarist John Connearn from The Nexus Institute of Creative Arts in Coventry.

With four successful albums and a clutch of awards to her name, Sandra’s proudest musical career highlights include singing in The House of Commons as well as creating and performing The Big Love Song as a wedding gift for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, joined by a choir of mental health ambassadors on BBC’s The One Show, in 2018.

And this is another project that’s particularly close to her heart.

She added: “With this version, I wanted to bring something different to the table, combining many of the genres I love into one sonic twist of emotions. There’s a little pop, gospel, RnB and orchestral, all in the mix.

“I’m incredibly excited about this release. The first time I heard it, I cried. Matt Cossey has done a fantastic job! The song has grown and this time it takes you on a more extensive and sensitive journey of lament and hope. There’s intensity in this orchestral remix which releases something in your soul to smile, mourn, cry, whilst still retaining the overall sound pallet of the song. I love it!”

My Darling marks a departure from Sandra’s usual soul and gospel style, instead following more contemporary musical influences to appeal to a wider audience impacted by Covid or otherwise-related loss.

My Darling, Sandra Godley, National Grief Awareness Week 2021 — Sandra Godley and Matt Cossey in the recording studio.

The single’s producer Matt Cossey said: “Coming off the back of a global pandemic, this track has been really meaningful to work on, but also a real privilege. Trying to simultaneously capture the sound of grief and hope was a particularly interesting and poignant challenge, but I think we have managed it!”

My Darling is available to download for 79p all digital platforms from December 3^rd.

Pre save and be the first to hear it here

Further Information:

Sandra’s recent track ‘Grateful,’ recorded in Nashville USA, reached no 21 in the iTunes RnB charts. Grateful is taken from her album Reflections.

Sandra and the Bluecoat School Gospel choir performed at Coventry‘s 2021 Christmas Light Switch On to a crowd of 6,000+ people.

She has performed at The House of Commons, Manchester Arena, CBS Arena, Belgrade Theatre, Albany Theatre, Coventry Cathedral, USA, Malta, Venice, Jamaica, Italy to name a few and is a broadcaster for BBC’s Sunday Breakfast show and Upbeat.

National Grief Awareness Week runs from December 2^nd-7^th to raise awareness of all aspects of grief and loss on a national scale. To offer access to a choice of tailored bereavement support to all those grieving in the UK and to those working with the bereaved. To ensure immediate access to support for all types of bereavement in local communities across the country. To raise awareness of smaller frontline organisations in the UK, and to give them a national platform to reach those in need in their local area. To help the public to better understand how to support those grieving the loss of someone they love. To open conversations and normalise grief.

Further information on the many ways to offer support is available here

Emotional messages take to the skies to mark release of charity record

Posted on September 9, 2021September 9, 2021 by admin

RELATIVES grieving the loss of a loved one were among those gathered for the poignant launch of a charity single by Coventry’s MOBO Award-nominated musician Sandra Godley.

My Darling, Sandra Godley, Surviving Bereavement, Molly Olly's Wishes, Coventry & Warwickshire MIND, balloons release — Releasing the balloons in memory of lost loved ones at The Telegraph Hotel Rooftop Bar..

National Grief Awareness Day on Monday (August 30^th) marked the release of My Darling which is raising funds and awareness for three local charities in the wake of the pandemic – Surviving Bereavement, Molly Olly’s Wishes and Coventry and Warwickshire Mind.

In collaboration with Surviving Bereavement Founder Tracey McAtamney from Balsall Common, the event included a minute’s silence and the release of 100 white balloons bearing emotional messages, from the roof of The Telegraph Hotel in Coventry.

My Darling, Surviving Bereavement, Molly Olly's Wishes, Coventry & Warwickshire Mind, loss, balloons launch — Musicians Sandra Godley and Roy Hemmings.

Specially invited guests included Roy Hemmings, formerly of The Drifters, who lost his brother Neville in April last year. My Darling will be played at a memorial for Neville in Birmingham tomorrow. (Friday Sept 10th)

Also releasing a balloon, in memory of her daughter Emelia, was Jessica Weeks and her family, from Coventry. Emelia’s died in 2017 less than one hour after being born with spina bifida and anencephaly. Jessica went on to establish Hannah’s House, a charity which provides support after the loss of a sibling to neonatal death, miscarriage and stillbirth. (See accompanying Case Study here)

My Darling is a particularly heartfelt piece of work for the Bristol-born musician, Sandra, who is still grieving the loss of her own aunt to the virus in April last year.

She said following the launch: “I am delighted that the song ‘My Darling’ is now finally released. I’ve been carrying the words of the song for over a year now.

“It was such an incredible time to be amongst friends and family on a very special day, Grief Awareness Day. Thank you to everyone who helped make it happen. Special thanks to Matt Cossey for producing the track. I now want to encourage everyone to give what they can to the fundraising page to help spread the message of hope and I know the three charities involved will be very grateful for all donations received.”

Those who would like to donate more can now also visit a new fundraising page here

And My Darling is available to download for 79p from any of these outlets

Tracey McAtamney said: “The launch of My Darling and release of the biodegradable memory balloons could not have gone better despite it being a bank holiday Monday – people came out to remember their loved ones. It felt very personal, moving and heartfelt, especially during the one-minute silence, a time for reflection before the balloon release.

“The song is beautiful and I know is touching many. We are hoping that people will continue to download the song for just 79p or donate to the JustGiving page. All monies raised will be in support of those struggling with grief.”

Through the work of The Surviving Bereavement Foundation, Tracey McAtamney has helped many others through their journey with grief by offering legal and financial advice as well as practical and emotional support.

Tracey, from Balsall Common, established the Foundation 16 years after herself being widowed with two sons at the age of just 38. Her husband Tony had died suddenly in his hotel room while on a golfing holiday in Spain.

As part of the Foundation’s growth, she recently qualified as a Grief Recovery Specialist and the past year has also seen a huge rise in demand for her personalised Memory Boxes, which contain specially chosen items that celebrate the life of a lost loved one.

The record, which has been produced by Matt Cossey of The Nexus Institute of Creative Arts in Coventry, is being funded by an anonymous sponsor and supported by Alsters Kelley Solicitors.

Some of the proceeds will also benefit Warwick-based charity Molly Olly’s Wishes and local mental health charity Coventry and Warwickshire Mind.

Molly Olly’s Wishes was established in 2011 following the death of Rachel and Tim Ollerenshaw’s eight-year-old daughter Molly from a rare kidney cancer.

It works to support children with terminal or life-limiting illnesses and their families and help with their emotional wellbeing as well as grant wishes and donate therapeutic toys and books to both children directly and to hospitals throughout the UK.

Mascot of the charity is a therapeutic toy lion called Olly The Brave who has his own Hickman line and a detachable mane which helps to explain and normalise the effects of chemotherapy. These form part of an Olly The Brave pack that has now been handed out to more than 40 hospitals, along with a book from the charity’s exclusive Olly The Brave series.

Rachel said: “The launch of My Darling was a very special and poignant day. It is a beautiful song and the emotion behind it really highlights the importance and significance of being aware of the challenges that grieving families face. Molly Olly’s are extremely grateful for the support and thank you to Sandra, Tracey and everyone who was involved for including Molly Olly’s in this project. Funds raised will help us to support families at the saddest of times.”

Local mental health charity, Coventry and Warwickshire Mind is part of the national Mind organisation – delivering services and support for people with mental health problems for over 50 years.

Recognising the importance of listening to, and working with, people who have experienced mental health issues, the charity aims to provide support for those who live with and recover from a mental health problem. This can mean providing access to information, a listening ear, or providing more specialist support and services.

Steven Hill, CEO Coventry and Warwickshire Mind, also attended the launch. He said: “It was a pleasure to be a part of the event for ‘My Darling’ – a poignant song about the loss faced by many of us over the past 18 months and highlighting its detrimental impact on our mental health.

“We’re honoured to be one of the charities chosen by Sandra Godley. The money raised will enable us to continue our work – ensuring that no-one faces a mental health problem on their own.”

Watch the music video for My Darling here

My Darling, Surviving Berevement, Molly Olly's Wishes, Coventry & Warwickshire Mind, loss, balloons release

Contacting the charities:

Further information about Surviving Bereavement or how to donate can be found here

Further information about Molly Olly’s Wishes or how to donate can be found here

Further information about Coventry and Warwickshire Mind or how to donate can be found here

For more information about Hannah’s House visit here Donations can be made here

Charity song set to raise funds and awareness of loss

Posted on August 13, 2021August 13, 2021 by admin

My Darling, Sandra Godley, Tracey McAtamney, Molly Olly's Wishes, Surviving Bereavement, Coventry and Warwickshire Mind

AN award-winning singer songwriter has released a new single close to her heart to raise funds and awareness for three charities in Coventry and Warwickshire.

My Darling is the exclusive new track written and recorded by MOBO-nominated musician Sandra Godley in aid of Surviving Bereavement, Molly Olly’s Wishes and Coventry and Warwickshire Mind.

In collaboration with Surviving Bereavement Founder Tracey McAtamney, the project draws much-needed focus on the increasing mental health problems post-pandemic.

It is a particularly poignant piece or work for the Coventry musician and local BBC radio host, Sandra, who is still grieving the loss of her own aunt to Covid-19 in April last year.

She said: “This track is based on conversations that I’d had with people like Tracey and others who survived having lost people and having had a year out to think about that.

“Because I work in broadcasting people are telling me their stories of loss and grief and anguish all the time. I got to the point where I thought, what do I do with all this? This is a real situation and I need to help as many people as I can.

“I wrote the lyrics for this hoping it would offer some kind of comfort and a way of journeying these next few months and years. What I’ve found is that a lot of people haven’t been able to talk about it because they haven’t been able to physically go and see someone in the family during the grieving process.”

My Darling, Sandra Godley, Tracey McAtamney, Molly Olly's Wishes, Surviving Bereavement, Coventry and Warwickshire Mind — Sandra Godley in the recording studio as Tracey McAtamney looks on. *Photo by Dy Holme*

“I wanted this to be more modern in terms of the Billie Eilish, James Arthur and George Ezra-type sound. I was actually influenced by a lot young artists for this song when I usually tend to look backwards in time for a lot of my music. Most young people won’t have previously experienced the kind of trauma of the last 18 months and I thought these artists were writing some really inspirational stuff for this ‘now’ moment,” she said.

My Darling, Sandra Godley, Tracey McAtamney, Surviving Bereavement, Molly Olly's Wishes, Coventry and Warwickshire Mind — Sandra Godley and producer Matt Cossey in the recording studio. *Photo by Dy Holme*

As part of the Foundation’s growth, she also recently qualified as a Grief Recovery Specialist, using an actioned evidenced-based programme for moving beyond death, divorce and other losses including health and career.

The past year has also seen a huge rise in demand for her personalised Memory Boxes, which contain specially chosen items that celebrate the life of a lost loved one.

She said: “During lockdown I delivered or posted 136 free Memory Boxes or Bags to children and young adults. I realised with us coming out of the pandemic we needed a way to reach more people. Music is that way – Sandra’s song is one of hope for all of those people grieving due to the loss of loved ones, many of which were unable to say goodbye.

“I am so grateful to Sandra for putting the words on paper and then adding her voice – it is beautiful. The track could have been written for me when my husband died and I was unable to say goodbye 16 years ago!”

There has been an increase in demand for memory boxes from the Surviving Bereavement Charity run by Tracey McAtamney.

“I am hoping that the song will provide hope for many and that by downloading it, will ensure that more children and young adults will continue to receive free Memory Boxes.”

The single, which has been produced by Matt Cossey of The Nexus Institute of Creative Arts in Coventry, is being funded by an anonymous sponsor and supported by Alsters Kelley solicitors and Coventry’s The Telegraph Hotel – the host of an official launch event on National Grief Awareness Day, on August 30^th.

Some of the proceeds will also benefit Warwick-based charity Molly Olly’s Wishes and local mental health charity Coventry and Warwickshire Mind.

Molly Olly’s Wishes was established in 2011 following the death of Rachel and Tim Ollerenshaw’s eight-year-old daughter Molly from a rare kidney cancer.

Molly Olly's Wishes, Rachel Ollerenshaw — Rachel Ollerenshaw, the Founder of Molly Olly’s Wishes with mascot Olly The Brave. The charity was established in her daughter’s name.

Rachel Ollerenshaw said: “The death of someone close to us is hard at any time but the restrictions and effects of the pandemic have made the grieving process all the more difficult.

“Raising awareness of the struggle and the enormity of loss and how it affects us all differently and providing support through these challenging times is so important.

“Molly Olly’s Wishes work with families who sadly have a child at end of life and help them to create memories and support their emotional wellbeing and we are extremely grateful to Sandra. It is a beautiful song and we hope it helps highlight the awareness of loss and the work of charities.”

Local mental health charity, Coventry and Warwickshire Mind is part of the national Mind organisation – delivering services and support for people with mental health problems for over 50 years.

Steven Hill, Coventry and Warwickshire Mind CEO said: “During the lockdown we were all forced into periods of extended isolation – this was difficult enough for those of us with close family networks but for those of us living alone, this increased the sense of anxiety, of isolation, and of hopelessness.

“The impact of this isolation, added to the trauma of loss and bereavement experienced across Coventry and Warwickshire, has exaggerated mental health issues for many, leaving them desperate for support at a time of mental health crisis.”

My Darling is available now to download for 79p from any of the following outlets