The Proclaimers' classic 500 miles hit has been reimagined with the help of Pixie Lott and a vital lyric change.
Originally released in 1988 by the Scottish duo, it's had a modern revamp with an important message, swapping 500 miles for 79 miles.
The change in distance represents the average length parents travel to visit their seriously ill or injured children in hospital.
Pixie Lott has partnered with McDonald's to record the full song with new lyrics, with the blessing of The Proclaimer's Craig and Charlie Reid.
The singer also shot a music video [https://youtu.be/sYqNJTvRhJI] featuring children who have undergone treatment, alongside their siblings, to celebrate their collective experience and the support provided by the Ronald McDonald House charity.
Pixie Lott said: "As a singer, it’s so special to be given the blessing to reimagine such an iconic song; but as a parent, it’s the meaning behind ‘I’m Gonna Be (‘79 Miles)’ that matters most.
"Being part of a campaign that raises awareness for this incredible charity - and performing alongside such wonderful people and musicians – has been an honour.”
The backing band was made up of parents who have had to travel anything from 55 to 75 miles to visit their children in hospital.
This included Aidan Hawes, who spent 14 nights in Ronald McDonald House Arrowe Park in the Wirral - 72 miles from home - while his son Theodore underwent treatment for Hypoxic Ischaemic Encephalopathy, caused by oxygen deprivation at birth.
Along with Dean Amer, who stayed 55 miles from home for 186 nights in Ronald McDonald House Southampton after his son Rafi contracted E coli, which led to complications including sepsis, pneumonia, cardiac arrests, strokes and a brain injury.
Elliot Hibbert, whose family stayed in Ronald McDonald House Camberwell, for five nights, 72 miles from home while he underwent brain surgery, also played a part.
Finally, they were joined by Lisa Gaffney and Séan Wall, who faced a stay of 227 nights in Ronald McDonald House Dublin – 75 miles away from home - to be near their daughter, Tilly, who was being treated for 'Pierre Robin Sequence', a rare congenital defect which impacted her ability to breathe.
Last year, Ronald McDonald House UK [www.ronaldmcdonaldhouse.org.uk], which provides families with children in hospital a place to stay nearby, accommodated 8,488 families for an average of 16 nights.
This saved families from travelling a total of 10 million miles to and from hospital during that time.
Ella Joseph, chief executive officer at the charity, said: “When a child is seriously ill or injured, families don’t just want to visit, they want to stay close, informed and involved in their child’s care.
“Yet many families travel long distances, often at huge emotional and financial cost, at a time when life already feels overwhelming.”
Lauren Schultz, chief executive officer, McDonald’s UK & Ireland, said: “Keeping families together, especially when they have a seriously ill or injured child, is something that’s hugely important to McDonald’s.
“With the launch of ‘I’m Gonna Be (‘79 Miles)’, we hope to shine a light on the real journeys families face when their child is in hospital.
“By sharing these powerful stories, we hope to raise awareness of the charity’s vital work and help ensure families across the UK can continue to stay close to their children when it matters most.”
