Next generation of Keating family on song as Josh records charity single
Thirteen year-old Josh Keating has released a new charity single to help raise vital funds for the cancer charity set up in his grandmother’s name, the Marie Keating Foundation.
The track, ‘Not About Angels’, is available now for download on iTunes and Spotify and all proceeds are being donated to the foundation’s cancer awareness and prevention work.
The track was originally recorded by Birdy, and Josh chose it because of its connection with cancer. He first heard it when it appeared on ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ movie soundtrack. It was recorded in Cardiff and produced by Gethin Pearson. Speaking at its recent launch Josh Keating said: “I have always loved to sing and been passionate about music. The opportunity to record this single came up and I just jumped at the chance. The fact that I can, hopefully, raise money for a cause so close to mine and my family’s heart, makes it even more special”.
The single was debuted in Ireland at the Marie Keating Foundation’s annual Christmas Lunch in conjunction with Newstalk, where Josh performed the track in front of an audience of more than 300 guests and supporters. Josh is son of Valerie and Gary Keating, whose brother, Ronan, is a well-known singer and actor.
The Marie Keating Foundation receives no government funding and relies on the generosity of the public and corporate partners to allow it to provide its awareness work through its mobile units and nursing outreach, and its support services, including the Comfort Fund service and its survivorship programmes for people who are living with and have come through cancer.
Liz Yeates, CEO of the Marie Keating Foundation says “we are thrilled to be benefitting from this single and hope that it will be a huge success for Josh. He is such a talented young man and we are very grateful he has chosen to donate the proceeds. We are marking 20 years since the Marie Keating Foundation was established and Marie Keating died from breast cancer, so it is a very special year for Josh to release this single. So much has been achieved in Marie’s name over that time and we look forward to supporting cancer survivors and their families through their diagnosis and treatment for many more years to come. At this time of year, we just want to send a heartfelt thanks to all of our supporters and volunteers for their help and generosity over the past 20 years, we wouldn’t be here without your continued support.”
Patron of the Foundation, Josh's uncle, singer Ronan Keating says: “As a family we are so proud of Josh and his achievement in recording this single. The work of the foundation has such a positive impact on the lives of cancer survivors and their families and for Josh to donate the proceeds of this single to their work, is inspiring. Unfortunately, cancer rates continue to grow and so the demand for the foundation’s services is always rising too. Despite this, new treatments and early detection means we are living longer with cancer and there are more survivors in Ireland than ever before. As a result the work the Marie Keating Foundation does with its Survive and Thrive courses and Positive Living programmes are more important than ever. The money raised from this single will go a long way towards helping the charity provide support and help to more people in 2019 and beyond.”