South West Band from Wakefield release Christmas songs to raise cash for mental health charity Mind

South West Band have played at hundreds of weddings and events across the UK and Europe since forming in 2010.

They should have played at more than 80 weddings this year.

But South West Band's business has been decimated by Covid in what should have been their busiest year ever.

The band has played at just three small weddings limited to 15 guests since the coronavirus crisis started in March.

During the latest lockdown, South West Band members wrote and recorded two original Christmas songs - 'Three Tiers For Christmas' and 'Working All Year For Christmas."

South West lead singer and manager Henry Clark, from Ackworth, said the band has decided to donate profits from both songs to Mind.

Mr Clark said: "It is a mental health charity, which is quite close to home. A few of our friends and family have suffered from mental health problems.

"The Covid situation has exacerbated problems faced by people suffering with their mental health."

Mr Clark said the band's income has dropped more than 75 per cent since March.

He said: "It has been mentally exhausting trying to keep a business going at a time like this.

"The government has provided some help through the Self Employed Income Support Scheme, but it falls massively short of what this year should have been.

"It has been a very difficult year for all musicians and their families."

"We are supporting each other and are hopeful that the industry will bounce back eventually."

'Three Tiers for Christmas' is available now on iTunes and via the band's website at www.southwestband.co.uk/music

'Working all Year For Christmas' is set to be released on Sunday (Dec 5).

All profits from both songs will be donated to mental health charity www.mind.org.uk