This year, The X Factor winner’s single will be in aid of children’s charities Together for Short Lives and Shooting Star Chase.
Last Friday, The X Factor also invited Zoë, who is cared for by Shooting Star Chase, along to The X Factor rehearsals at Fountain Studios, Wembley.
Zoë, who has been diagnosed with OSCS and Moyamoya, spent the day behind the scenes of the show, getting a personal backstage tour and a first look at the contestants practicing their songs for the live show, while meeting everyone, from the contestants to the X Factor judges themselves, taking selfies with Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, having lunch with Simon Cowell and joining him and Rita Ora at the Judges’ desk.
The two X Factor Finalists will perform their prospective winner’s single live during The X Factor’s spectacular final at the SSE Wembley Arena. The song will then be available to download immediately after The X Factor winner is crowned on the 13th December.
Simco Limited will donate 100% of its profits from the sale of each CD and download and in respect of all streaming in the UK and the Republic of Ireland to be shared equally by Together for Short Lives, registered charity no. 1144022 and Shooting Star Chase, registered charity no. 1042495. This donation will be at least £1 for each CD sold in the UK and at least 20p for each download sold in the UK.
Simon Cowell says: “I have worked with these inspirational charities for many years and I’m delighted that The X Factor winner’s single sales will help families who are going through such unimaginably difficult times.
"In 2015, raising funds for hospice care is more important than ever, and both Together for Short Lives and Shooting Star Chase are important charities which support children all over the country. The money we raise will make a real difference.”
Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman at the Chase Tea Party earlier this year.
Barbara Gelb, CEO of Together for Short Lives adds: “Together for Short Lives is so thrilled to be benefiting from The X Factor Winner's Single again this year – it means so much to families caring for the UK’s 49,000 children and young people with life-shortening conditions. These children often have very complex and unpredictable conditions and need round-the-clock-care and support 24/7. Too many families struggle to cope and feel isolated and alone, not knowing what tomorrow will bring.
"Working with the X Factor is transformational, helping Together for Short Lives to reach out to thousands of families. And the money raised through the X Factor Winner's Single will make a lasting difference to the lifeline services that deliver extraordinary care to children and families - at home and in the community, helping children to life as full lives as possible.”
Karen Sugarman, Director of Fundraising at Shooting Star Chase, said: “We are absolutely thrilled Shooting Star Chase has been named as a beneficiary of the X Factor charity single. It’s the best Christmas present we could ever imagine because the funds raised from the release will provide a lifeline for the families we support, at a time of year that is often extremely difficult for them.
"Having spent many Christmases at the hospices, I see first-hand the unimaginable circumstances children with life-limiting conditions face and we cannot thank X Factor enough for their fantastic support.”
The single will be the eighth charity release from The X Factor and the fourth winner’s single following last year's champ, Ben Haenow’s No.1 hit Something I Need.
