Hoping to Heal the World

When captain of the English International College (EIC) football team, Louis Spinola, discovered that his friend wouldn't be able to take part in a tournament after having contracted leukaemia, he decided to do something to help.

A fan of Michael Jackson, the year six pupil opted to record a cover of Heal the World with his classmates at the school in Marbella in order to appeal for donations to Make-A-Wish Foundation, a charity which grants life-changing wishes to seriously ill children.

Louis wrote to his music teacher, Mr. Dave, who supported his pupil's plan. "He said yes straight away," explained Louis. The young boy also made contact with British pop star, Yazz (best known for her 1988 dance track 'The Only Way Is Up'), who teaches singing at EIC.

SUR in English recently caught up with Yazz, who currently lives on the Costa del Sol. She was keen to help Louis' plans materialise: "This was one of those moments when you love your inbox. In popped a young boy's hope to do something for a close friend," explained Yazz. The singer arrived in Spain some time ago and "fell in love" with the country. Eighteen years later, she is married to a Spaniard and leads Music Worship at the International Baptist Church in Calahonda. "One of the best and greatest of things is being a part of something that supports young people's dreams," said Yazz of her current posting at EIC.

Louis, Yazz and two music teachers gathered together a group of 30 people to help create their song. Most of the helpers were Louis' fellow pupils; the school choir a drummer from year three, a bass player, percussionists and a pianist from year six. After two months of work and rehearsals, a local recording studio lent their facility to the group. For her part, Yazz helped with the song arrangement and vocal coaching, put the group in contact with a sound technician and supplied "copious doughnuts".

Louis and his friends are very pleased with the resulting track. "It ended up sounding even more amazing than I thought it would," he declared.

Louis was in touch with his teammate throughout the recording process: "His mum was very emotional. I'm looking forward to going round to play some Xbox with him when he is feeling a bit better."

In tribute to Louis' friend and other children who suffer from serious illnesses, the team have made a professional music video for their Heal the World cover. This video is available to watch online, on YouTube or at the group's Virgin Money Giving webpage (https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/EICmakeadifference), through which the EIC are still taking donations for Make A Wish Foundation. "I hope lots of people donate," said Louis.