Gareth Malone’s Choir for the Invictus Games Unveils Their Charity Single ‘Flesh and Blood’

Gareth Malone and The Choir for the Invictus Games are releasing their hotly-anticipated charity single ‘Flesh and Blood’ following their emotionally-charged performance at the opening ceremony of the Invictus Games Orlando 2016 in front of Prince Harry and US First Lady Michelle Obama and an audience of thousands around the world.

The choir of wounded, injured or sick ex- servicemen and women came together just two months ago as part of Gareth’s latest TV show, a two-part BBC documentary which followed their journey to the Invictus Games and recording the single. The final episode was broadcast on Thursday, revealing their spectacular performance and standing ovation from the 12,000-strong crowd at the Champion Stadium, which included Hollywood star Morgan Freeman and Former President George W. Bush. The choir even received a message of encouragement from Major Tim Peake aboard the international space station.

Gareth and the choir co-wrote the music and lyrics for ‘Flesh and Blood’ – a process which challenged the members to dig deep into their experiences of injury or illness and the different stages of their recovery.

Gareth comments: “We know when music is honest, we know when it speaks directly to our hearts. The Invictus Choir have proved that music can heal and music can help give back so much that has been lost in war. For these wounded, injured and sick ex-service men and women, the struggle continues. However, through this song, they have come together to say that they are unbreakable, proud of their achievements and hopeful for the future. That is the spirit of Invictus. We are all ‘Flesh and Blood’.”

Dominic Reid, Managing Director of the Invictus Games Foundation said: “Being a part of this choir will without doubt have helped these men and women on their journey to recovery. I am delighted that with the proceeds from this single, the Invictus Games Foundation will be able to provide even more support to wounded, injured and sick servicemen and women.”

The choir are joined on the single by soprano Laura Wright, whose own song ‘Invincible’ – written for and inspired by the Invictus Games – forms a Double A Side.

The single is released on Decca Records on Friday 13 May (the day after the final episode has aired). Decca will donate 100% of all profits, whilst committing to a minimum donation of 40p from the sale of each download to the Invictus Games Foundation (registered charity No. 1159482) (England and Wales). The artist(s) will forgo any royalties due to them in connection with this charity single.

The Invictus Games is the only international sporting event for wounded, injured and sick Servicemen and women. It was set up by Prince Harry in 2014 to use the power of sport to inspire recovery, support rehabilitation and generate a wider understanding and respect of those who serve their country.

Following the success of the 2014 Invictus Games, the Invictus Games Foundation was established to develop and pursue the event’s legacy. It manages the selection of the hosts for future games and oversees their delivery. The money raised from the single will go towards supporting the Invictus Games Foundation and ensuring the continuation of the Invictus Games.

The Invictus Games Orlando 2016, presented by Jaguar Land Rover, took place from 8-12 May 2016 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Florida. Over 500 competitors from 14 nations competed in 10 sports.

Track listing:

1. Flesh and Blood – Gareth Malone’s Choir for the Invictus Games feat. Laura Wright

2. Invincible – Laura Wright

NOTES TO EDITORS

About Twenty Twenty

Twenty Twenty has been a leading producer of factual and entertainment programming for over thirty years.

Output spans documentary, reality, entertainments and children’s, and our work has been recognised by BAFTA, Emmy, Grierson and the Royal Television Society.

Current highlights include BAFTA TV Award winning First Dates, which has launched in territories all around the world since it started on Channel 4 in 2012 and is returning for a bumper fifth series in 2016, as well as a one-off return of Eurotrash as the centrepiece Channel 4’s 2016 Brexit referendum programming. The Choir franchise is now celebrating a decade of exclusive collaboration with Gareth Malone, most recently with Gareth’s Invictus Choir on BBC One and the return of The Naked Choir later this year on BBC Two.