Lincoln cancer fighters rally for charity single launch support

A group of 23 brave Lincolnshire ladies, brought together by their personal experiences with cancer, have turned a cherished hit by The Nolans into a flagship song for Cancer Research.

The Cancer Fighters, who are made up of ladies aged between nine and “over sixty” are determined to raise as much money as possible when their single We’re in the Mood goes live on iTunes on February 4 2015.

With a number of major record labels interested in recording the tune, the final stages before the launch are coming together.

Each of the group members and their families have a sobering cancer story to tell and they agree that the moment the C-word hit home their lives were changed forever.

Amelia Bailey, 45, from Washingborough set about organising a Cancer Research UK and Race for Life song in July 2014 after she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Together the Cancer Fighters team consists of general and mental health nurses from Morton Hall Immigration Removal Centre in Swinderby, retired ladies, former teachers, members of staff from Lincoln Prison and the two youngest members Fleur Bailey, 9, and Mikalah Tolly, 10.

“Some of us met during chemo and have been friends ever since. Other ladies who had chemo with us actually didn’t make it. Most of us know someone or have lost someone who had cancer and this is also in their memory”, said Amelia.

“When I told everyone I wanted to sing a song I don’t think they realised how serious I was about the whole thing! I’ve had to approach the record labels and original writers to get permissions and all the legal things in place.

“Then the original writers Ben Findon, Mike Myers and Robbery Puzey all came back and said they’d support us 100%, they love what we are doing and encouraged people to support us.”

In addition to the support of the original writers, the group have also had well-wishes and support from celebrities like athlete Andy Turner, famed ‘dragons’ Hilary Devey and Theo Paphitis, and Sharon Osborne.

Mike Myres commented on the demo: “When I read the adapted lyric and learned that the song was to be recorded by The Cancer Fighters, in order to raise money for Cancer Research and Race for Life, I didn’t hesitate in giving my consent. As the co-producer of the original track for Epic I am also very happy to be able to donate the multitrack of a re-recorded version of I’m In The Mood For Dancing.”

On Wednesday, February 4 people across the globe will celebrate World Cancer Day and The Cancer Fighters will be releasing their charity single in order to raise as much money as possible.

Amelia said: “It’s really important that 100% of the money raised by The Cancer Fighters is donated to Cancer Research so we are funding all the travel, marketing and rehearsals ourselves, along with the support of some local schools and organisations.

“What we really need is for people and businesses to get behind us and support us. We would absolutely love to create a music video for the song, but of course we would need someone to come forward and offer their services.

“The best thing people can do to support us is by liking and sharing us on social media, and donating! We really want to raise as much as possible.”

The group are now looking forward to performing the song at the Lincoln launch of the Race for Life event in July 2015 as well as their own charity ball at the Bentley hotel in Lincoln, which sold out in just two days.

They are also marketing their own t-shirts and merchandise in the lead-up to the launch event. The t-shirt will soon be sold in Tesco stores.

Amelia, who’s family has had to deal with loss and much suffering through cancer, added: “You don’t realise how alive you are until you’ve had cancer and in many ways it’s been both the worst and the best thing to have happened.”

People can follow The Cancer Fighters on Facebook, Twitter and their website, as well as make a donation via their JustGiving page, where they have already made a big dent in their fundraising goal.

In the meantime, The Cancer Fighters are inviting people to donate and enjoy learning the lyrics to their song by Amelia Bailey:

Ooh, yeah, ooh ooh ooh, OH, ooh ooh ooh, ooh ooh ooh, yeah yeah
We’re in the mood for racing, fundraising
Ooh, just giving it all to fight
We’re in the mood to fight cancer
We’re coming to get you
Ooh so come on and race for life

Racing, racing, we’re in the mood girls,
So let the ladies play,
Ooh we’re racing, racing, we’re fighting cancer,
So get on up and race for life today

We’re in the mood for racing, fundraising,
You know we shan’t ever stop the fight,
We’re in the mood for racing,
For cancer research,
Ooh from head to our toes,
We’ll find a cure,
So grab your pink clothes,
And race out the door

So race, ooh ooh race, yeah let’s race, ooh ooh race, come on and race, ooh ooh race
We’re in the mood, so girls lets race, ooh ooh race
yeah let’s race, ooh ooh race, come on and race ooh ooh race

We’re in the mood for racing, fundraising
Ooh, just giving it all tonight
We’re in the mood to fight cancer
We’re coming to get you
Ooh so come on and race for life

Racing, racing to beat cancer sooner
That’s what we’re gonna do
We won’t stop fighting’ fighting
So move your feet, girls
Cos cancer we are coming to get you!

We’re in the mood for racing, fundraising’
You know, we won’t ever stop the fight
We’re in the mood, We’re in the mood
We’re in the mood to race, ooh ooh race
yeah let’s race, ooh ooh race come on and race ooh ooh race

We’re in the mood so ladies race, ooh ooh race
yeah let’s race, ooh ooh race come on and race ooh ooh race
We’re in the mood to race for life ooh ooh race
yeah let’s race, ooh ooh race, come on and race, ooh ooh race

So move your feet, yeah ladies race
yeah let’s race, come on and race
can’t you hear the music, ladies race
yeah let’s race, lets fight for life!

Here’s the group on BBC Radio Lincolnshire: