Christmas charity song launched by boy who communicates by blinking

HE has spent most of his Christmas Days in hospital, but now a young boy who can only communicate by blinking is looking to bring some festive cheer to others with the release of a Christmas single.

Adam Bojelian, 12, who has cerebral palsy, is blind and suffers from a severe seizure disorder, is donating 50p from every download of Christmas Gibbons to the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland.

And the Forthview Primary pupil has been given a boost after getting the backing of film star Ewan McGregor.

Adam has already won the 2010 Brit Writers Outstanding Achievement Award, agold Blue Peter badge, the 2011 Young Scotland Rising Star Award and the 2012 Young Scot Arts Award for his poetry, and first wrote Christmas Gibbons – which reveals how Santa really manages to deliver so many presents in one night – in 2010 as a festive treat for family and friends.

However, its fame soon began to spread and, thanks to a chance encounter, it has now become a Christmas single.

Mum Zoe, 52, said: “Adam was asked by staff at Rachel House, which is run by CHAS, if there was a particular dream he would like to have come true and he said he would love to see Christmas Gibbons set to music.

“Unfortunately, not long after that he became very ill again and had to go back into hospital, so the project stalled. Then one day my husband and I ran into Gary and Kim Harrison, who we had become friendly with after meeting while out walking our dogs.”

When Zoe mentioned the project, Gary said he knew just the person to help.

Mr Harrison said: “My son, Tom, who lives in LA, is a composer and often does work on films and TV shows like CSI. I knew he would be only too happy to help out. Adam is such an amazing boy and it’s fantastic that he’s so determined to give something back to the charity that’s helped his family.”

Mr Harrison also enlisted the help of animators Jess Connell and Nicky Godley to create a video. In 2011, Nicky was awarded the Intercom Gold Plaque at the Chicago Film Festival for her piece Mikey and Jools Keep Safe.

Actor Ewan McGregor, a long-time supporter of CHAS, said: “It’s quite incredible to think that Adam shares his vivid imagination with us through poetry written by blinking. I love the idea that Santa is assisted at Christmas by gibbons! I hope lots of people will download this track and help raise some money for CHAS.”

Roslyn Neely, director of fundraising and communications at CHAS, said: “It’s a super song and we are really proud of Adam’s great achievement and the fact that his family want to raise money for CHAS.”

Santa’s secret weapon

Gibbons are fun at Christmas,

They don’t mind the snow,

Gibbons are fun at Christmas,

But there is something about them you don’t know.

They are Santa’s secret weapon,

They work on Christmas night,

Swinging across the rooftops,

They really are a sight.

Bringing lots of presents,

Around the world they go,

More agile than the reindeers,

Swinging to and fro.

They are Santa’s secret posties,

Bringing gifts wrapped in paper and ribbons,

You thought the reindeers did this job,

Now you know it is the gibbons.