Swindon father and daughter release Christmas song for hospice

James and Beth recently performed the song at Prospect Hospice in Swindon

A father and daughter have written, produced and sung their own Christmas song to raise funds for charity.

James and Beth Duke, from Swindon, released "Christmas in the Sky", after Mr Duke's experience with cancer.

All proceeds will be donated to Prospect Hospice, which provides end-of-life care and support to patients and their families.

"This is our chance to give back. It is about saying Merry Christmas to those who can't be with us," Ms Duke said.

The 43-year-old collapsed at work in 2019 and was quickly diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

Tests showed that a cancerous mass had developed across his chest and around his heart and he was given days to live.

The father and daughter duo say they have "always been close"

However, after undergoing chemotherapy, Mr Duke is now in remission and works at Prospect Hospice's distribution centre.

Whilst undergoing the "difficult" treatment, Mr Duke promised his two children "a little bit of light at the end of the tunnel" by promising to do anything they wanted.

Ms Duke, a 16-year-old singer and songwriter, asked if they could release a song together.

"We knew we wanted it to be about people who have lost other people. We can really understand and appreciate how hard those times are," she said.

"Christmas is so special and obviously it's even harder for people who have lost loved ones at that time."

'Not forgotten'

Mr Duke added: "They're not forgotten, we do still care.

"We know what it's like to be vulnerable and not take life for granted.

"It could happen to any of us. I'm humbled to be alive, so I want to show that appreciation."

Head of income at Prospect Hospice, Sheryl Crouch, said: "We are so grateful to Beth and James for all the hard work they have put in to writing and recording this song.

"The funds raised help Prospect Hospice to make a huge difference to the lives of hundreds of people and their loved ones every day."

Follow BBC West on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: [e-mail]