Hot on the heels of her ‘President’s Choice Award’ from the iconic US-based Soul Cafe radio station, Beth Macari has today announced a partnership with a pioneering North East mental health charity as she looks to play her part in suicide prevention throughout the UK.
Produced by the legendary BAFTA-nominated producer, orchestrator and songwriter Nigel Wright – famed for his musical relationship with Andrew Lloyd Webber and chart-topping work with the likes of Madonna, Take That and Barbara Streisand – Beth’s brand new track, I Am, is without a doubt her most ambitious, poignant and heartfelt to date.
Beth Macari has also drafted in celebrities such as TV and radio host Gaby Roslin, former Emmerdale star Gemma Oaten, West End singer Cassidy Janson, Corrie and Holby City actor Charlie Condou and the North East’s own Chelsea Halfpenny, who all appear in the single’s video to increase awareness of the Charity’s work.
Released on 17th July 2020, the soul-infused ballad will see all of its sale revenue donated directly to the If U Care Share Foundation, a charity set up to provide prevention, intervention training and support to those affected by suicide. This will help the charity to continue its life-saving work, made even more important and relevant a time when the world continues to come to terms with an earth-shattering pandemic.
‘I Am is quite possibly my most honest song. I hope the song will get people talking and encourage people to reach out if they’re struggling right now,’ explains Beth.
‘It took a lot for me to be able to finally write a song about loving and accepting who I am. I’ve had many experiences in the industry where I have been trolled, told I am too big, and my voice is too big and that I need to change who I am if I ever want to succeed, which no matter how hard I tried to ignore it, part of those words would always plant a seed of doubt.
‘But with this new music, my head is in a much better and stronger place, I want to spread the message so loud. It’s okay to love who you are and to accept yourself. Your mental health is so important, that’s why I wanted to partner with this amazing charity to help spread awareness of the great work they do.’
I Am is a song about self-love and accepting who you are, important steps in improving your mental health.
Nigel Wright, who has scored five number-one singles, 31 Top 20 singles and a string of platinum albums, continued: ‘This sounds like a hit to me. I admire Beth’s pure determination and I hope, in the end, this pays off big time.’
As part of the campaign, people are being encouraged to express their personalities by tweeting a word to describe themselves, using the #IAM on the 16th of July between 6pm and 9pm.
After reaching out to her fans and celebrity friends, inviting them to describe themselves in one word, the video which accompanies the song is a collage of short videos submitted by each participant.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the If U Care Share Foundation has seen a 275% increase in demand for its services including suicide prevention, bereavement support and mental health support.
The charity supports over 2,000 people who are at risk of taking their own lives or who have lost loved ones. They have also worked with over 40,000 young people in schools, football clubs and in the community, getting people talking and reaching out for help.
If U Care Share Foundation believes that suicide is preventable and is there to help people who need support.
Reacting to the new partnership between Beth and the charity, its Funding Manager Dominic McDonough, adds: ‘It is a really difficult time for people at the moment as they are cut off from friends, family, loved ones and support networks. We have seen a huge rise in demand for our services, as well as a huge drop in fundraising.
‘We are so grateful to Beth for linking up with us, she is incredibly talented and the message of I Am is more important than ever at the moment. We hope that it will get even more people talking and reach out.’
I Am will be released on 17th July via all good digital stockists including Apple Music. All proceeds will go directly to the If U Care Share Foundation.
