Weeks after the birth of his second child, musician Dean O’Brien was left devastated by the horrific plight of young Syrian refugees unfolding in Europe.

The children’s entertainer, better known to his young audience as Mr Yipadee, pledged to use his contacts and skills to record a fun family album and raise money directly for the Save the Children teams battling to help on the ground.

Sing-along for Syria was born and, within a matter of days, a galaxy of stars from the world of TV donated their time and talents in a recording studio at Salford’s Media City to lend their voices to the compilation of children’s songs.

They include Coronation Street star Tina O’Brien, who put aside time despite her commitments filming live episodes for 60th anniversary specials this week.

Now we are throwing our weight behind Sing-along for Syria and are asking YOU to get involved.

All money raised from the album released today, will go directly to the Save the Children’s Child Refugee Crisis Appeal.

“Every penny raised from Sing-along for Syria will go to the refugees most in need and I am appealing to everyone to get involved.” Dean O’Brien

We are also asking schools and children’s groups to get involved by filming their own #singalongforsyria video to help spread the word about the frightened, homeless, refugee children.

Dean, who is dad to one month old Ellora and three-year-old Evolet, said he woke in the night with the concept for the album.

He said: “As a parent, I can’t just sit by and watch what is happening. We would not allow this to happen to our children, why would we sit by and watch while the Syrian children suffer?

“Every penny raised from Sing-along for Syria will go to the refugees most in need and I am appealing to everyone to get involved.”

Dean’s friend and colleague Alex Winters, a CBeebies regular, has worked alongside him to make the album happen. He said: “Everybody’s been heartbroken by what’s happening and particularly as a parent, it’s unimaginable to think what’s happening to those children.

“I hope that this album spreads joy and laughter for kids here in the UK, and spreads resources, hope, and love to the refugees.”

Money raised through thesale of the album, launched today on iTunes, will go directly to the appeal.

No one who has worked on the album has taken a penny, including the sound recording artists, studio engineers and those putting together and hosting the appeal’s website.
Follow and send videos on Twitter @singalongsyria and through hashtag #SingAlongForSyria.