A LEGENDARY songwriter has thrown her support behind an Essex choir's heartfelt performance of one of her hit songs in an effort to raise £10,000 for charity.

The Buskerteers Choir, founded in Essex, has released a highly-anticipated video of more than 1,000 singers in the Buskerteers Choir uniting to perform a stirring rendition of Carole King's classic 'You've Got A Friend' at Southend's Cliffs Pavilion. 

Alongside the video, a single version of the song has also been released, with the aim of raising £10,000 for mental health and suicide prevention charity Samaritans.

In a significant show of support, Carole King and James Taylor, the legendary songwriters of ‘You've Got A Friend’, have both endorsed the campaign and shared the video to their combined 3.9 million Facebook followers. 

Carole King is one of the most successful female songwriters in the US and has written or co-written 118 pop hits on the Billboard Hot 100. 

She commented: “I just saw this video of Buskerteers Choir supporting Samaritans in the UK, and it moved me to tears. Wherever you live, if you’re having suicidal thoughts, call your country’s national hotline. In the US it’s 988.”

The campaign has already raised more than £5,000 towards its £10,000 goal for the charity. Supporters are encouraged to donate via the JustGiving page on the Buskerteers website at buskerteerschoir.com.

Andrew Small, founder of the Buskerteers Choir, commented on the release: “We are incredibly excited to share the Big Busk 2024 video and single with you all.

“Our performance of ‘You’ve Got A Friend’ was a powerful moment of unity and support, reflecting the core message of Samaritans.

“We hope our efforts will not only raise vital funds but also increase awareness of the mental health challenges many face, particularly men, who are often at greater risk of suicide.”

This follows the success of the first "big busk" in 2023, which saw 600 people come together to learn and perform Coldplay’s ‘Yellow’. Last year’s event raised £10,000 for the Brain Tumor Trust.

The Buskerteers Choir was founded by Colchester's Andrew Small with the goal of raising £1 million for charity through choir performances. This December marks its fifth anniversary.

In the past five years, the choir has expanded significantly, now boasting six choir leaders who manage 27 choirs across Essex, Suffolk, Sussex, and Hampshire. During this time, the Buskerteers Choir has raised an incredible £154,734.85 for various charitable causes.