Clair and Ann were thrilled to help the media launch of the Hidden Wounds album in aid of Help for Heroes today.
The media launch took place at Eliot Kennedy’s Steelwork Studios, with songwriter Eliot and singer Joanne Heselden-Edwards.
Jo and Eliot staged a charity concert last November with a guest appearance from Gary Barlow, raising £60,000 for the psychological support services provided by Help for Heroes.
The album, embedded in a unique dog tag necklace, is on sale now on iTunes and all profits go to Help for Heroes.
Coverage included a Press Association story that went nationwide; a comment piece by Eliot in the Yorkshire Post for Mental Health Awareness Week; a Q&A with Psychologies magazine; ITV Calendar News, Sheffield Live TV, BBC Radio Sheffield, Hallam FM, and a Facebook Live film from Graham Walker, digital editor on the Johnston Press series, reaching thousands of viewers. Listen to BFBS Radio launch.
Eliot spoke candidly about his own experiences dealing with mental ill-health in his family for Calendar News and in the Yorkshire Post, he wrote:
“Ultimately, we’re all vulnerable. That recognition in itself makes us realise we’re not an island and that we have to build those bridges to reach each other. We’re not in a big dark hole alone, it just feels that way sometimes. Nothing gets solved in silence. No one wants to hear that someone ended their own life because they were lonely.
“I hope our Hidden Wounds project will play a small part in this bridge building. I believe it’s about connecting to the person next to you. The more you connect, the more positive energy you get back. It’s the most important thing we do.
“One of the veterans at the gig we did last November said to me: “It’s amazing you’re alright about standing on stage and talking about mental health”. I said: “You know what, that’s okay with me. I don’t need to think I have to be cool.” There’s nothing cooler than exploding myths like that. It’s exactly what we need to be talking about – from every stage.”
We’d like to give our love and congratulations to Jo Heselden-Edwards – the album is a tribute to her late dad, Jimi – who not only invented the life saving Hesco Bastion blast wall defence barrier, used by the military in conflicts across the world – but donated millions to Help for Heroes in his lifetime. Her work not only highlights the issue of mental health, but continues his legacy.
You can download Jo’s album HERE.