Yorkshire philanthropist releases song to support Carers' Trust during pandemic

United Together was written by Mr Leslie, before the global coronavirus pandemic hit, but as the threat got closer he felt the lyrics reflected its impact and the importance of caring and working together.

Along with his wife Karen, Mr Leslie has been a long-standing supporter of Carers’ Trust. The charity supports people of all ages who care for a family member or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or could not otherwise manage without their support.

Mr Leslie joined forces with Hollywood composer Benson Taylor, and alternative rock guitarist, James Brown, from the UK band Pulled Apart By Horses, to record the song before the lockdown.

A spokesman said: “Working with his brother Hugh, Graham filmed the video, following the social distancing rules, from his home garden field overlooking the Holme Valley. It took a couple of hours and his brother edited it.”

Mr Leslie said: “When I was practising the song as the pandemic was about to hit, I felt the words connected to what was about to happen and highlighted that we need to care for each other to make us stronger together. The last few weeks have certainly demonstrated what we can do if we all come together as a community.”

“I wanted to do something to support unpaid carers in the UK. Carers are the real front-line defence in our society, and I am in awe of the amazing work that Carers Trust does to advise and support unpaid carers across the UK, especially during these unprecedented times.

"This is a challenging period for everyone, and we hope we can raise as much money as we can through the song to take the strain off thousands of carers who are suffering financially and mentally, over the coming weeks and months.

“We have already received sponsorship from a number of businesses which is incredible and very much appreciated.”

Carers Trust’s Director of Fundraising and Communications, Svetlana Kirov, said: “Carers Trust is thrilled and so grateful that Graham Leslie is taking this initiative by launching his song, United Together, to support unpaid carers, particularly at this time when they are even more vulnerable and isolated than even before because of the coronavirus.”

To access the music download platforms go to www.grahamleslie.co.uk/united-together. To support the Carers Trust’s Emergency Fund visit

https://secure.artezglobal.com/registrant/DonationPage.aspx?eventid=48002&langpref=en-CA&Referrer=direct/none

Editor’s note: first and foremost - and rarely have I written down these words with more sincerity - I hope this finds you well.

Almost certainly you are here because you value the quality and the integrity of the journalism produced by The Yorkshire Post’s journalists - almost all of which live alongside you in Yorkshire, spending the wages they earn with Yorkshire businesses - who last year took this title to the industry watchdog’s Most Trusted Newspaper in Britain accolade.

And that is why I must make an urgent request of you: as advertising revenue declines, your support becomes evermore crucial to the maintenance of the journalistic standards expected of The Yorkshire Post. If you can, safely, please buy a paper or take up a subscription. We want to continue to make you proud of Yorkshire’s National Newspaper but we are going to need your help.

Postal subscription copies can be ordered by calling 0330 4030066 or by emailing [email protected]. Vouchers, to be exchanged at retail sales outlets - our newsagents need you, too - can be subscribed to by contacting subscriptions on 0330 1235950 or by visiting www.localsubsplus.co.uk where you should select The Yorkshire Post from the list of titles available.

If you want to help right now, download our tablet app from the App / Play Stores. Every contribution you make helps to provide this county with the best regional journalism in the country.

Sincerely. Thank you.

James Mitchinson

Editor