Award-winning Shirebrook songwriter to support homeless with proceeds from charity single

River Hopkins recently beat off strong competition to win The UK Songwriting Contest’s Under-18 category with his song ‘Welcome to Mansfield’ and is raising money for a homelessness charity.

His song ‘Lie to Me (Weather Presenter Song)’ features reggae performer Donsmarter, and all proceeds go to Centrepoint – a homelessness charity for young people, which Prince William is a patron of.

River was inspired by a friend to write an upbeat tune and, as a Bob Marley fan, decided to write a reggae song about weather presenters.

River explained: “My friend Dori challenged me to write something uplifting and, after waiting for my song to be played on the news, commented on the number of weather presenters there were.

"I thought it might be a bit different to write about them, and linked it in to mental health.”

The catchy song asks weather presenters to lie about the forecast to lift people’s moods during lockdown, mentioning weather presenters such as Des Coleman. Laura Tobin and Matt Taylor.

Backing vocals were also provided by River’s mum Katie, after lockdown forced the recording studio to close.

The song is released on February 5, which is, rather fittingly, National Wetherperson’s Day.

River is working hard to pass his GCSEs and hopes the single can raise money for the charity, which helps vulnerable young people with accommodation, health support and life skills in order to get them back into education, training and employment.

Lucy Goble, Community and Events Fundraising Manager at Centrepoint, said: “Before the pandemic, youth homelessness in the UK was already at crisis point.

"The past year has exacerbated the challenges vulnerable young people were facing.

“It’s now extremely important to support homeless young people, which is why we’re incredibly thankful to River for his charity single.

"It’s amazing when our fundraisers astound us with their creativity and commitment to supporting our work.”

The song can be purchased here and donations to the charity can made via JustGiving here.

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