A singing soldier from Trethomas met with the Prime Minister on Monday to help launch this year’s official Poppy Appeal Song.
Lance Corporal Ryan Idzi, 26, joined band mates Sergeant Major Gary Chilton and Staff Sergeant Richie Maddocks at Number 10 to promote ‘I’ve Gotta Get A Message To You’.
The trio of servicemen – aptly known as The Soldiers – have released the song to raise cash for the Royal British Legion.
The 2011 Poppy Appeal song features Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees, who had a hit with the original version of the song.
He said: “Although not written all those years back about soldiers, it can represent the human emotions of Servicemen – or in this case, a single soldier. It’s about being trapped in a corner far from home, brave but scared and thinking of loved ones. These men and women deserve our respect and we need to remind ourselves that they – including of course Ryan, Gary and Richie – are prepared to lay down their lives for our freedoms.”
Russell Thompson, Director of Fundraising for The Royal British Legion, said: “I’ve Gotta Get a Message to You is part of the soundtrack to our lives, and it’s incredibly moving to hear it performed by serving soldiers thinking of those on operations in Afghanistan. We’re proud to be associated with The Soldiers and to have this song as the official tune of the Poppy Appeal in our 90th anniversary year.”
I’ve Gotta Get A Message To You is available as a download from Amazon
Absolutely brillant story. Hope they do really well.