WATCH: 'Trim Sings for Ukraine - We are the World'
Over 500 people of all ages came together recently in Trim to show solidarity with the people of Ukraine to record 'We are the World,' with the eagerly anticipated recording and video released on facebook on Thursday.
The project was led by local music teacher Mícheál Kerrr who invited local groups and schools to join with his Gluais group to record a song for Ukraine. So overwhelmed was Mícheál by the response when over 500 people turned up to the Knightsbrook Hotel to record the song, he felt compelled to record a video to accompany it, which was shot outside Trim Castle.
"Trim Sings for Ukraine - We are the World" was posted on facebook on Thursday and has already received more than 5,000 views. A gofundme page has been set up alongside it to raise funds for the Trim Parish Ukraine appeal.
"Over 500 people, both young and old, came together with one resounding, united voice - to show that Trim stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and that over the coming weeks and months, they are most welcome into our community. As part of our efforts to contribute to the Ukrainian aid relief, we have set up a GoFundMe page to accompany this video - all donations will be added to Trim Parish's Ukraine Appeal. Your support would be greatly appreciated," said Mícheál, who is a music teacher in Scoil Mhuire.
He thanked Darren McGoldrick of MG Audio and Aidan Farrelly of Bad Apple Films who recorded the song and video and also their sponsors Tom and Liz Lenihan in James Griffin Pub, Noel French, Gillens Londis, and Trim Musical Society.
Mícheál said: "I hadn't a clue how many people would turn up to the recording in the Knightsbrook. I had no sense of how many would come especially when it wasn't during school hours. They kept arriving and arriving. It was incredible, we had 550 people.
"I had been hopeful we would get 200. I was totally overwhelmed by the amount that showed up."
The song opens with well-known Trim singer Matt Gilsenan and finishes with a young boy and girl symbolising the different generations involved.
The list of groups that took part included Trim Musical Society, Trim Brass Band, Credo Vocal Ensemble, Gluais, Scoil Mhuire Secondary School Trim
Boyne Community School, Trim Comhaltas Trim CCÉ, The Royal County School of Music, Trim Family Resource Centre, St Mary's Convent Primary School, St Michael's National School, Gaelscoil na Bóinne, St Patrick's NS, Trim Educate Together NS, and Buvinda Singers.
To donate to the gofundme appeal search for "Trim sings for Ukraine- We are the World" or click here