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Charity Single 2024: “Falling Angels Riding” By David Essex

In collaboration with BEDS VERU to raise awareness of their #justdropit campaign, and featuring the United African Association Dancing Drums

Release date: 19th August 2024

This year, CLICK is collaborating with VERU, the Luton & Bedfordshire Violence and Exploitation Reduction Unit, to raise awareness of their #justdropit campaign to tackle knife crime. Earlier this year Bedford Today reported that of 186 people found guilty of knife crime Sept 2022-2023, 139 were first-time offenders (Ministry of Justice figures), a rise from the year before.

The #Justdropit campaign highlights the impact of knife crime on families and communities and works to deter young people from carrying or using blades. It seeks to shine a light on the ripple effect of knife crime through families

VERU has very kindly allowed CLICK to use footage from two videos they have produced which share the stories from the families of AJ, and Ashish who both tragically lost their lives to knife crime.

The preventative effect of the Arts is known with the Ministry of Justice stating that “Because they reach a wide audience, arts and performances are effective ways to prevent or reduce crime. By reaching new audiences with each performance or display, arts and performances increase awareness and refresh anticrime messages for those who may have heard but forgotten them.”; and research has shown that when involved within something that gives a sense of belonging, community and even brings the chance to learn new skills, the draw towards joining gangs can be reduced.

While the cover licence for the song has been purchased from Easy Song, BMG Music has very kindly given permission for a synch licence (ie a music video to go with the recording) to be released free of charge which means that the money raised can go direct to the charities involved.

CLICK is working with the United African Association Dancing Drums who are providing the percussion, and the single is being recorded, mixed and mastered at FitDog Studios, Northamptonshire, (including any virtual tracks being sent by remote singers – to again promote inclusivity). The proceeds are split between these two charities, with VERU kindly stating they were just grateful for the awareness raised.

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