Stars rally for Hillsborough families

The stars behind a potential Christmas number one single which aims to raise money for the Hillsborough families yesterday called on the chancellor to waive VAT on it.

The version of the Hollies’ hit He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother by The Justice Collective was launched at Liverpool’s HMV store yesterday by stars including football legend Kenny Dalglish and comedian John Bishop. The song was produced by Robbie Williams’ long-time collaborator Guy Chambers with all the proceeds going to cover the legal costs of the families of the Liverpool supporters killed in the Hillsborough disaster in 1989. The song was inspired by the sight of two children who walked out to the track during a tribute to the dead at Liverpool’s cross-city rivals Everton.

Dalglish, Bishop and Liverpool Walton MP Steve Rotheram called on the chancellor to waive VAT on the single, something he has already done for the X Factor winner’s single – the proceeds of which are also going to charity. Dalglish said: “We are trying to get the same for the Hillsborough families.”