Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, has also announced that the government will donate VAT on sales of the X Factor winner’s charity single.
Louisa Johnson was voted winner of the X Factor on Sunday (13 December), after Louisa and the other finalist Reggie ‘n Bollie performed the single – a cover of Bob Dylan’s Forever Young – live at the SSE Wembley Arena.
The track is available to download now and will be released on CD single on Wednesday. At least £1 from each CD sale in the UK and at least 20p from each download sold in the UK will be donated to the charities.
Since its first series in 2004, winners of the X Factor have achieved the UK Christmas number one single on seven occasions.
Simon Cowell, who is a patron of Together for Short Lives and vice president of Shooting Star Chase, said: “I have worked with these inspirational charities for many years and I’m delighted that The X Factor winner’s single sales will help families who are going through such unimaginably difficult times.
“In 2015, raising funds for hospice care is more important than ever. The money we raise will make a real difference.”
Both charities are delighted that they have been chosen as beneficiaries of the winner’s single.
“It’s the best Christmas present we could ever imagine and cannot thank X Factor enough,” said David Burland, chief executive at Shooting Star Chase. “I see first-hand the extremely difficult circumstances children with life-limiting conditions face and am regularly humbled by the way they cope with what life has thrown at them.
“They tell us the support we offer keeps them going and we know that’s only possible because of the generosity of our supporters. By buying this single people will enable us to provide direct care to families at our hospices and in their own homes when they need it most.”
Barbara Gelb, chief executive of Together for Short Lives, added: “Together for Short Lives is so thrilled to be benefiting from the X Factor winner’s single again this year – it means so much to families caring for the UK’s 49,000 children and young people with life-shortening conditions.
“Working with The X Factor is transformational, helping Together for Short Lives to reach out to thousands of families – the money raised through the X Factor winner’s single will make a lasting difference to the lifeline services that deliver extraordinary care to children and families – at home and in the community, helping children to live as full lives as possible.”
Osborne commented: “It is great news that Together for Short Lives and Shooting Star Chase Children’s Hospice are to benefit from the proceeds of this year’s X Factor winner’s single.
“I am a great admirer of the tremendous work that these charities do to support children with life-threatening and life-limiting medical conditions, and those who love and care for them. I urge people go out and buy it in great numbers this Christmas so that as much money as possible is raised to support the charities’ work.”
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