Southend Foodbank have got together with local folk musicians The Famous Potatoes to record a version of The Twelve Days of Christmas – but with food donations requests as lyrics.

Cass Francis, communications and campaigns coordinator at Southend Foodbank said: “I had the idea in my head for the 12 Crates of Christmas earlier this year and I’d half-jokingly asked our volunteer Keith Baxter if the Folk band he’s in would be interested in recording it. It all became a reality in October when I wrote the new words, and The Potatoes set about recording it.

“We wanted the song to be joyous and slightly ramshackle in nature – and I think that’s exactly what we’ve managed to achieve. The video was especially fun to record – and we hope this comes across. All the people involved in this volunteered their time and expertise, and we are so grateful to them all.

Echo: Making music - Potatoes and Southend Foodbank teamMaking music - Potatoes and Southend Foodbank team (Image: Southend Foodbank)“As a foodbank, we are busier than ever and currently spending over £10,000 a month to top up food donations. Unfortunately, it means this year we just don’t have the finances available to buy Christmas extras to give to our guests the way we normally would, so this Christmas food-drive is really our way of encouraging people to think about others – to help spread the hope and goodwill the season brings.”

Click here to watch the video

Click here for details about Southend Foodbank