Disney Singer Griff Meets Wish Child Emily from Lincoln
UNITED KINGDOM / AGILITYPR.NEWS / December 08, 2020 / ‘LOVE IS A COMPASS’ STAR MEETS WISH CHILD
Rising star Griff hosted a virtual meet and greet with a young fan as she released charity single ‘Love is a Compass’ – the soundtrack to Disney’s new 2020 Christmas advert
Nine-year-old ‘wish child’ Emily Budworth had a private virtual meeting with singing sensation Griff, ahead of the release of her fundraising single Love Is A Compass, the official soundtrack for Disney’s ‘From Our Family To Yours’ festive campaign.
Emily, who has a heart condition, is waiting for her wish to be granted – to star in her own film. In the meantime, the charity Make-A-Wish UK thought she’d enjoy quizzing someone with her own high profile career. The organisation arranged a surprise 'meet' between Emily, her mum Rebecca and Griff as part of their long-standing partnership with Disney.
During the video call, Emily was given an exclusive, ‘first look’ at Griff’s acoustic performance of Love is A Compass, ahead of its launch.
The track, which is written by LA-based songwriters PARKWILD, is raising funds for Make-A-Wish, in celebration of Disney’s 40-year partnership with the charity. For every download of the track before 31 December 2020, 100% of the proceeds from the retail price will be donated to Make-A-Wish International, to help grant life-changing wishes*.
Emily, who lives with her mum Rebecca, gran Elaine and three-month-old baby brother in Lincoln, loves watching films and her ambition is to be a famous actor.
She spoke to Griff, who was in her recording studio surrounded by guitars, about their favourite films, actors and performing artists.
Asked what she does in her spare time, Griff replied: “When I’m not making music, I like making clothes and sewing, hanging out with my friends, going for long drives and listening to music.”
Since 1980, Disney has helped Make-A-Wish® grant more than 140,000 wishes around the world – experiences that not only brighten lives, but also help wish children and their families replace fear with confidence, sadness with joy, and anxiety with hope.
The launch of Disney’s 2020 holiday campaign is the latest example of the brand’s ongoing support for Make-A-Wish and includes the three-minute animated short film.
The heart-warming storyline is inspired by the themes of traditions, family togetherness and nostalgia, and introduces two new characters – a grandmother, Lola, and her granddaughter - alongside familiar friend Mickey Mouse who features as a much-loved toy, gifted to Lola as a young child by her father in 1940.
As well as the charity track, Disney fans can buy the vintage Mickey Mouse Christmas soft toy featured in the advert from The Disney Store and ShopDisney.co.uk, further benefiting Make-A-Wish organisations.
Griff said it was lovely to meet Emily and added: “It’s been a rewarding campaign to be a part of, not only having the opportunity to record ‘Love Is A Compass’ in the studio, but also learning more about the incredible work of Make-A-Wish, and the families and children they support all around the world.
“I’m pleased that money raised from the release of ‘Love Is A Compass’ as well as sales of the Mickey Mouse soft toy that features in the advert**, will go towards helping to continue the efforts of this brilliant charity.”
To find out more, visit https://www.make-a-wish.org.uk/disney-helps-grant-wishes-across-the-world or follow the charity on social media @makeawishuk
About Us
Make-A-Wish UK
Every day, the lives of 10 families in the UK are changed forever when their child is diagnosed with a critical condition. From that moment, medical appointments become the utmost priority with the innocence of childhood taking a backseat to worry and isolation. A wish restores that childhood and puts worry on the backseat.
Make-A-Wish UK is a registered charity that was established in the UK in 1986 to create memorable experiences for children and young people diagnosed with a serious illness. The charity receives no Government funding - registered charity numbers: 295672 in England and Wales, SC037479 in Scotland.
Notes:
- We do not use the phrase ‘terminally ill’ and ask that you follow suit because some poorly children and young people are not made aware of the exact nature of their diagnosis and we respect their family’s approach to their situation. Some young people we support also recover fully from their illness.
- Please refer to us as Make-A-Wish® UK in the first instance to distinguish us from affiliates in other countries and hyperlink to our website when you mention the charity online: www.make-a-wish.org.uk
Griff
Griff was born to Chinese and Jamaican parents near Watford. She began making music by borrowing her brother’s Logic: teaching herself how to produce songs in secret from her classmates (many of whom only found out what Griff was up to when they heard her on Annie Mac). Indeed, Griff's is the type of curiosity and creativity that draws no boundaries between making beats, sewing your own clothes, or shooting a music video on your iPhone under lockdown.
Make-A-Wish® and Disney’s 40-year partnership
The Walt Disney Company has partnered with Make-A-Wish® for 40 years, supporting the charity’s mission to grant life-changing wishes. Disney has a global commitment to deliver comfort and inspiration to families with children facing serious illness, and they work together with others to inspire and create Moments that Matter for children and those closest to them, who need it most. The new Disney Christmas campaign aims to raise vital funds for Make-A-Wish®, through the proceeds of the charity single performed by Griff, a percentage of sales of The Disney Store’s vintage edition Mickey soft toy and donations on behalf of fans for sharing their own festive moments and memories on social media. Disney is celebrating the connections and traditions that bond families through the years across all countries and cultures by celebrating magical festive memories at #LoveFromDisney on social media. For every photograph that fans upload their own festive family memory, past or present, on their Instagram, Facebook or Twitter using #LoveFromDisney, Disney will donate $1USD to Make-A-Wish ®, up to $100,000 USD.
*Love is a Compass, official soundtrack of Disney’s festive ‘From Our Family To Yours’ campaign, celebrates 40 years of Make-A-Wish.
For terms and conditions please visit www.thewaltdisneycompany.eu/fromourfamilytoyours
**The Mickey Vintage Holiday Soft Toy is available to buy at The Disney Store and ShopDisney.co.uk. For every Mickey Plush sold within this range, between 9 November 2020 and World Wish Day® 29 April 2021 inclusive, in Disney Stores or online at shopDisney ,25% of the retail price (ex VAT/sales tax) will be donated to Make-A-Wish® organisations to help grant wishes for children. Terms and conditions apply. Please go to www.thewaltdisneycompany.eu/fromourfamilytoyours.
Disney Consumer Products, Games and Publishing
Disney Consumer Products, Games and Publishing (CPGP) brings the magic of The Walt Disney Company’s brands and franchises—including Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more—into the daily lives of families and fans around the world through products and experiences across more than 100 retail categories from toys and t-shirts to apps, books, video games, and more. A division of the Disney Parks, Experiences and Products segment, CPGP’s global operations include: the world’s largest licensing business, one of the biggest children’s publishing brands, a leading licensor of interactive games across platforms, Disney store locations globally, and the shopDisney e-commerce platform.
Disney’s Social Purpose
As well as being a responsible business, Disney is dedicated to providing comfort and inspiration to those in need and creating inspiration and opportunity for those who want to improve their world. Disney’s long-standing partnership with Make-A-Wish ® is an example of how, through working with others, we help build emotional resilience. Together we bring the power of our brand, stories and characters to inspire and create Moments that Matter for children and those closest to them when they need it the most. In 2019, we created over 26,000 life-changing moments across Europe. For more information on our programmes and our long-standing charitable partners please visit www.thewaltdisneycompany.eu
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