A GROUP of Musselburgh singers took part in a song that has raised thousands of pounds in aid of a mental health charity, and reached number three in the Scottish singles chart.

Members of Sing in the City FIVERS were part of ‘Sing in the City’, a 10-year-old choir that is home to 18 other choirs from across the Lothians, Edinburgh and Fife, and has more than 1,000 members in total.

During lockdown, their sessions took place on Zoom, when they shared their thoughts on lockdown.

Following this discussion, they released a song last month called Follow The Rainbows, all sales, royalties and donations from which will be donated to the Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH), a mental health charity that provides support to adults and children.

So far, about £6,000 has been raised.

The song is inspired by the choir members and tells the story of them coming together, overcoming their fears and insecurities and replacing them with positivity.

It reached number three in the Scottish singles chart after its first week of release and with no marketing budget.

It was written, recorded and distributed within 10 days and cost £150 to make.

Kirsty Baird, musical director of Sing in the City, said: “It is well documented and has never been truer, that singing is a positive aid for good mental health, which has been evident through how the choir members have adjusted and adapted during this difficult time.

“Even before quarantine was put in place, it was clear that Sing in the City members were more afraid of the isolation than they were of the virus.

“Choir means more than just singing to our members; it is interaction, friendship and laughter and, as the quarantine began, normality was soon replaced with anxiety.

“Sing in the City moved all rehearsals online and created daily sessions to try and keep our members (and their friends and families), engaged, together and connected.”

She added: “It has been beautiful to be part of.

“We were always going to do something for our 10th anniversary but we could never have guessed it would be writing and producing a song in a lockdown scenario.”

The song is available on online platforms, and the video can be seen on YouTube at shorturl.at/tuE16

Those who wish to donate can do so at www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/singinthecity