Christleton High School student celebrates hit single

May 27 2010 by Jo Henwood, Chester Chronicle

YOUNGSTERS at a Chester high school are clamouring to get the latest hit single.

Girl Next Door is a hit by Ellis Brackenbury of Christleton High School and the enterprising youngster has been selling CDs of his song to raise funds for charity.

Ellis, 11, was inspired to raise the cash after listening to an assembly given by sixth former Hannah Jones about her fund raising activities for the Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust. Hannah has had treatment for a brain tumour and won a BBC Teen hero award last year for her efforts in raising almost £50,000 for the fund.

“Hannah spoke in assembly and I saw a video of how much she’d raised and I thought it was a good cause,” said Ellis, who also plays guitar.

“I wrote the song and won a school talent show in January. When I played it the sixth formers said they liked it so I thought I could raise a lot of money,” he added.

Ellis recorded the CD at his house with the help of his cousin Ollie Mercer, a student in music and sound technology.

He has already raised more than £200 for the fund.

Copies of Ellis’s CD are available by email for £2 (including postage and packing). Email ian_barckenbury @tiscali.co.uk or call 07977133763.

The email address above is correct, despite the misspelling of ‘Brackenbury’.