Video: How an Elton John hit could help save Leeds children’s heart unit

The classic by Elton John and Bradford-born Kiki Dee was a number one in 1976.

The latest version has specially-written lyrics about the campaign to keep heart surgery at Leeds Children’s Hospital.

It is performed by the Cononley Singers, from near Skipton, who were led at the recording by Lois Brown, whose daughter Amelie, three, underwent open heart surgery at the unit in Leeds three times before her first birthday after she was born with only half a heart. She will need more surgery in coming years and eventually a transplant.

Her mother said Amelie’s longest spell in hospital was three months which took a big toll on family life.

“It takes a lot out of you emotionally and financially,” she said.

“We live an hour away which is stressful enough but I don’t know what we would do if we had to travel two or three hours.

“My daughter had one emergency in particular where she wouldn’t have made it if Leeds had been further away – it’s a big risk to take with children’s lives.”

She said she was very pleased with the results of the recording. Her daughter was a keen singer and had already mastered most of the words.

One of the soloists on the song is Luke Bayer, of Skipton, who won through to the judges’ house stage of TV’s X Factor in 2007. His sister Kara was treated at the heart unit in Leeds as a child.

The song will be released shortly as part of the campaign led by the Leeds-based Children’s Heart Surgery Fund to retain services in Leeds under a nationwide review of services. A decision by health chiefs is due in December.