Plans to release a charity record in aid of homeless people in Cumbria have been scrapped – after an appeal by Cumbria’s homeless people.
The single, a cover of Paul Young’s Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home), was to have featured a host Cumbrian celebrities including TV presenter Helen Skelton, media titan Melvyn Bragg, England football star Georgia Stanway, and CRFM’s Val Armstrong.
Money raised would have gone to help an estimated 320 people in the county currently sleeping rough.
But last night homeless representatives begged the artists not to bother.
Speaking to Cumbria Eh! from a shop doorway in Carlisle last night, spokesman Ian Rogers said: “While we appreciate the sentiment, the last thing we need at the moment is a self-serving charity record.
“It’s nothing personal, but to be quite frank myself and most of the people I’ve spoken to would rather be pissed on by a bunch of drunks.
“If the Cumbrian people really want to help, we’d really appreciate a couple of quid for a cup of tea and a Gregg’s pasty,” he added.
The single is the brainchild of Keswick singer-songwriter Ed Lomax, who today criticised the homeless. He says he was inspired by the 40th anniversary of the Band Aid single Feed The World, and by the chance of boosting his own flagging career.
“I’ve already hired a PR company to promote the single, and have been lined up for an interview on Radio Cumbria,” he said. “For the homeless to turn down a helping hand at such short notice is really inconvenient, and frankly I think their attitude stinks.”
When contacted by Cumbria Eh!, most of the 30 artists due to appear on the record said they had no idea what we were talking about and asked us how we’d got their number.
Do the homeless have a point? Or are they a bunch of workshy ingrates? Let us know in the comments below
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