A firefighter from Douglas has joined 40 other firefighting staff from across the British Isles to record a song which they hope will top the charts this Christmas.

Rob Henwood travelled over to Birmingham to take part in a recording of the Band Aid song ’Do they know it’s Christmas?’

Proceeds from the song will be divided between two great causes - Band Aid and The Fire Fighters’ Charity, which provides support to firefighters on a physical and psychological level.

Rob, a keen karaoke singer, said: ’I am the island’s charity rep for The Fire Fighters’ Charity.

’I was contacted and asked to be part of a recording.

’I asked if anyone (other firefighters) was interested, I didn’t hear anything so I thought I’d better do it!’

The fire service personnel spent nine hours recording the song and video, which is being produced thanks to professional help from top music producer Steve Osborne.

The final result is being kept under wraps until it is officially released, but Rob said the video involves them arriving on a fire engine and walking into the studio.

Rob’s partial to some karaoke but getting a professional sound was helped greatly by the talent within the group.

Two of the firefighters have appeared on ITV show the X Factor.

Southampton airport firefighter Marc Higgins made it through to the judge’s houses stage while Kidderminster firefighter Richard Ryan got as far as the six-chair challenge.

Meanwhile, Derbyshire firefighter Andy Quinn appeared as a guest star on Michael McIntyre’s Big Show in 2017 and Patsy Begley of Northern Ireland fire and rescue service tours with his cousin Andrea Begley, who won BBC1’s show The Voice in 2013.

The idea of recording the song as a fundraiser was that of Welsh firefighter Chris Birdsell-Jones.

The firefighters are calling for sponsors to help with the Christmas number one bid. They can donate cash or buy copies of the CD direcly from the supplier and have the final product delivered to the distributor. In return, they would get plenty of credit.

The whole experience was very enjoyable said Rob.

’We all turned up, noone knew each other beforehand and we all got on like a house on fire, pardon the pun!’

Contact Rob on 466675.