Dr Bill McCrea, Consultant Cardiologist, has teamed up with Heart Function Specialist Nurse Harriet McCullough to form the Wiltshire Heart Throbs and record a version of his own song Yahweh Christmas Cheer and also a cover of Bob Dylan’s Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door.
The duo, who work side by side in the Wiltshire Cardiac Centre at the Swindon hospital, are also accompanied on the song by the children of staff who work on the ward.
More than 100 copies of the festive anthem have already been sold around the town, with profits going direct to Brighter Futures’ Radiotherapy Appeal.
Dr McCrea, known locally for prescribing heart attack patients a daily glass of red wine, said: “I’m really excited for people to hear this music. I’ve come to know a lot of people in the town over the years and most are used to seeing me with a stethoscope around my neck rather than a guitar strap.
“We actually recorded the songs inside the hospital, while wearing our Christmas jumpers and in just a few takes. Everyone was very professional, especially the children, and the results have just been phenomenal.
“The track really encapsulates what the season is all about and I hope that as many people as possible will buy a copy and support the very worthwhile cause of bringing radiotherapy to Swindon.”
The single was debuted by the group in front of a packed house at the MECA in Swindon town centre last month.
Since then, copies have been flying off the shelves at stores across Swindon including Holmes Music on Farringdon Road, That’s Entertainment in the Brunel Shopping Centre and the Amigo store at the entrance of the Great Western Hospital.
The song will also be available to download from the iTunes store later this week.
Launched last year, Brighter Futures’ Radiotherapy Appeal aims to raise £2.9 million to equip Swindon’s first ever radiotherapy centre, to be built next to GWH.
Currently, cancer patients needing the lifesaving treatment face a gruelling 70 mile round trip every day to the nearest centre in Oxford.
As of December 2016, the current total stands at more than £1.3 million, which means the charity is within touching distance of the all-important halfway point.
For more information, visit www.brighterfuturesgwh.nhs.uk.