Northern Star Melanie C lights the way to find the lost Humanity

Not for profit Community Organisation Kandu-Arts along with their long time supporter and former Spice girl Melanie C have once again worked in collaboration this time to release their single "Cosmic Shower" (Lost Humanity) on June 18.

The single is being released as part of a funds /awareness raising initiative to support Kandu's work through their Safe and Sounds project with refugees, asylum seekers and their host communities in the UK. Kandu is already working alongside organisations such as the Harbour Project in Swindon that support refugees.

When home is no longer a safe place the effects of persecution, fear of violence, cultural eradication and oppression could drive any of us from our doors. The Safe and Sounds project through sharing and facilitating music, arts, games, food and support draws on our common humanity to build a sense of belonging and hope.

Kandu director Ed Deedigan said "The issues and challenges with regards to the movement of refugee crisis, have been around for years. As with our other areas of concern in which we work with our holistic and life skills facilitation there is no quick fix. The challenges facing host communities are also deserving of positive input in order that peaceful coexistence can flourish and to that end we at Kandu are mindful of how our many years of cross sector experience can also aid those that will host our new arrivals and the organisations that work alongside them to give meaningful, sustainable support. Melanie has lent her support to Kandu in many ways over the last 18 years. She is a caring and hands-on patron and we are eternally grateful".

This will be the third record Mel C has recorded for Kandu the first being "If that were me" taken from her number one album "Northern Star" that record helped Kandu carry out a highly successful national homeless project “No Place Home”, which brought Kandu's work to the attention of the department of culture, media and sport and led to Ed Deedigan being invited on to a national board of practitioners that advised ministers on the benefits of the arts and leisure in positively creating community cohesion. "It is fair to say and no exaggeration that without the support of Melanie C, many less fortunate people would not have had opportunities to change their lives for the better."

As well as Melanie, Kandu have specially created art work contributed by 10 artists and makers for auction to further raise funds Ed Deedigan said "I am overwhelmed by the support we are receiving from fellow artists. We have an amazing array of pieces. Chippenham based artist Harriet Whyatt has donated a beautiful thought provoking piece "Lost humanity" for the cover of the single and her agent Glenn Hardman from Wishbone arts is generously framing the artwork and making limited addition prints of her other pieces. It is wonderful how generous and supportive people can be, in a crisis, it renews your faith in humanity"

Other contributions are a terracotta relief portrait by Sophie Dury, an etching from Tom Moore, Stone Carving from Samuel Lee, Glasswork from Sasha Ward and Mary Quarmby, paintings by Caroline Cattermull, Rachel Makepeace & Alex Moran and a striking multi media work by Ray Ward.

The single will be launched at an event in London on 18 June with a live performance of the single and other music from the Kandu Collective an exhibition of art pieces and the showing of a poignant film The Orange Tree by Sion Evans Barry. This event is invitation only but all the items are available to bid for through the auction on Kandu Arts for Sustainable Development Facebook page. The single is also available at £5 + p&p
through the Facebook page from 18 June or to pre-order or through admin@kandu-arts.com.

Please contact Ed Deedigan on 07970919129 or Donna Lee on donnalee@kandu-arts.com