Truro School’s teachers and choristers engaged in international children’s engagement project prompted around the UK’s hosting of the G7 summit, called Sing2G7

Truro School’s teachers and choristers have recently been involved with an international children’s engagement project prompted around the UK’s hosting of the G7 summit, called Sing2G7.

At the centre of the initiative was a song, ‘Gee Seven’, written for the project by Tim Rice, Patron of Truro Cathedral Choir, with music by Peter Hobbs, arranged by Joseph Wicks.

Through the song and its moving You Tube video, the 35 choristers aged 8-18 inspired children around the world to unite and ‘sing to G7’ with a strong message, urging them to take full responsibility for the rest of the world. Over 27,000 children signed up to sing the song in 31 countries, from Australia to Alaska, Japan to Mexico, Portugal to Poland, South Africa to Canada and USA. Well over 300 schools across UK took part, from Bristol to Birmingham, Newcastle to Thurrock.

In addition, Truro School teachers created a range of education packs for primary schools, exploring key themes around the G7. Over 93 primary schools downloaded one or more modules – representing over 26,000 pupils.

Inspired by how vulnerable to Covid many of their fellow young singers around the world were, the Chorister’s decided to give all royalties from their Gee Seven single to VaccinAid via Unicef.  The project raised £8,434 for UNICEF’s VaccinAid fundraiser, which will enable UNICEF to provide over 10,000 Covid-19 vaccine doses.

‘I can’t quite believe that by singing a song we have enabled 10,000 people to be vaccinated. It’s amazing. Thank you so much to everyone who made a donation,’ said Head Chorister Jacob, 13.

‘I think it’s wonderful that we’ve managed to achieve this. We’ve beaten our target by so much money and those 10,000 vaccines will help protect people’s lives which is really cool.’ Chorister Harris, 9.

The project involved partnerships with Truro Cathedral, Cornwall Music Service Trust, Cornwall Council, The Diocese of Truro, Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station and Future Leaders Network.

Sing2G7’s VaccinAid appeal attracted support from far and wide, including from the original Poldark actor, Robin Ellis and from the former Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Now the UN Envoy for Education, Mr Brown sent a personal video message of encouragement to the children who joined a Sing2G7 Mega Zoom across 14 timezones at the time of the Summit: Gordon Brown’s video message.