FEATURES Take it to the Top! Interview by Tracey Allen of RAF News
Poppy Girls, Charlotte 17, Bethany 14, Alice 13, Megan and Florence, 10 all have fathers serving in the Armed Forces and are hoping their song The Call (no need to say goodbye) will go to No 1.
T
he Girls’ whirlwind journey began only a few short months ago when they each submitted an audition
tape to The Royal British Legion in the hope of a chance to perform for Her Majesty The Queen at this year’s Festival of Remembrance.
Since the evening at the Albert Hall, seen by over 6 million people, the girls have performed for the Prime Minister, have shared a bus ride with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and signed a record deal. The girls have also become a social media and youtube sensation. The single went on general release on 10 Nov 13 the day after singing at the Royal Albert Hall and the group are now flying.
It was at RAF Northolt that 1800 that pop fans flocked to a free concert, held to launch this year’s Royal British Legion poppy appeal that the girls took to the stage for their first public appearance alongside star acts including The Saturdays and Union-J.
Charlotte, whose father Wg Cdr Paul Mellor is senior padre at RAF Cosford, was one of the five singers chosen from more than 1000 hopefuls to win a place in the group.
‘A’level student Charlotte said: ”It’s such a poignant song and the words mean so much to us.”
As the daughter of a father who has been deployed six times, including two tours of Afghanistan. Charlotte has first-hand experience of what service children go through when their parents are sent to a war zone. She said: “Being a military kid is not the easiest start in life, although it gives you some great experiences. The three months when Dad goes out of area it is no way easy, but your life cannot just shut down because one of the most important people isn’t there.”
www.raf-ff.org.uk Envoy Winter 2013 21
Dad Paul said: “My wife Claire and I are immensely proud of Charlotte. She has loved singing and dancing since she was a little girl. I like to think she gets her singing talent from me – we’ve both taken part in the station pantos.”
The Poppy Girls also include Megan, Florence and Alice whose fathers are in the Royal Navy and Bethany, whose dad is serving in the Army Reserves.
She added that it was a privilege to be able to help raise awareness of the Poppy Appeal and the work it does for current service personnel, their families and veterans.
Their debut single is tipped to go to No 1 and could be followed by further releases.
Charlotte said: “I’m not allowed to say anything about that except ‘watch this space’”.
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