Eva Cassidy & Katie Melua sing for the Red Cross

On 10 December ‘What A Wonderful World’, a duet by Eva Cassidy and Katie Melua, is released. Available exclusively through Tesco, all profits from sales of the single will benefit the British Red Cross, the 2007 Tesco Charity of the Year.

Soaring high on the success of her latest album ‘Pictures’, Katie recorded the duet alongside her idol, the late singer Eva Cassidy, in a unique version of the Louis Armstrong classic ‘What A Wonderful World’. As part of the Tesco Charity of the Year partnership, all Tesco profits from the sale of the single will be donated to the British Red Cross.

Since her musical debut in 2003, Katie, 23, has become the most successful female singer in Britain (in 2004 and 2005) and in 2006 was the biggest selling British female artist in the world.

Katie said: “For many, Christmas is a time of fun, happiness and celebration. But at this time of year, there are vulnerable and isolated people up and down the country in need of help. Christmas is a good time to look at how we can give some happiness to others. I’m glad that ‘What A Wonderful World’ will be raising funds for the British Red Cross to help people in crisis.”

All the money raised for the British Red Cross from single sales will be spent on three crucial Red Cross services in the UK. They are:

- Life changing emergency equipment – ranging from wheelchairs to ambulances, used to help people in crisis situations such as accidents, illness, fire and flood

- Life saving skills – providing vulnerable groups with essential first aid skills so they are better prepared to respond to emergencies in their communities

- Crisis care in the home – Red Cross volunteers provide short-term care and support in the home for people after an accident or illness, giving them the confidence to continue their daily lives

Sir Nick Young, British Red Cross Chief Executive, said:

“As the flooding this year showed, crises don’t just strike overseas – they can happen right here on our doorsteps. All the money raised through ‘What A Wonderful World’ at Christmas will be spent here in the UK by the British Red Cross to ensure that everyone gets the help they need in a crisis.”

Ruth Girardet, Corporate Responsibility Director at Tesco, comments:

“The British Red Cross are constantly providing valuable support and assistance in our communities across the UK and we have been delighted to work with them throughout 2007. The duet with Eva Cassidy and Katie Melua is a perfect way to end a successful year of fundraising and help us achieve our aim of raising £2 million to fund crisis care in neighbourhoods across the UK.”

‘What A Wonderful World’ is set to be a Christmas favourite. It is only available in Tesco stores and on download at Tesco.com from 10 December 2007.

To find out more about the British Red Cross, or how to become a volunteer - go to Redcross.org.uk.