Paloma Faith releases new charity single, ‘Silent Night’ for Neurodivergent children

The release coincides with the Ready Eddie Go! Christmas Special on Sky Kids, with all proceeds from the song to be donated to the Caudwell Children’s Charity

In a heartwarming blend of Christmas tradition and inclusivity, Sky Kids has unveiled a reimagined version of the classic carol “Silent Night,” aptly titled “Silent Night, Gentle Light.” This innovative reworking, featuring the vocals of award-winning singer-songwriter Paloma Faith and the Sky Kids Choir, aims to shed light on the sensory challenges faced by neurodivergent children during the festive season.

The new interpretation of the beloved Christmas carol is part of a broader initiative to promote understanding and support for neurodivergent individuals, particularly during the often overwhelming Christmas period. With lyrics co-written by Nikki Saunders, creator of the Sky Kids show “Ready Eddie Go!,” and lead writer Joseph Morpurgo, the song delves into the myriad of sensory experiences that can be challenging for some children during Christmas.

From the texture of festive sweaters to the cacophony of busy shopping centres, “Silent Night, Gentle Light” explores the various elements of the holiday season that can lead to sensory overload. The song’s lyrics offer a gentle reminder of the importance of creating an inclusive environment that allows all children to enjoy the magic of Christmas in their own way.

Lucy Murphy, Director of Kids Content at Sky, emphasized the significance of this project. “Ready Eddie Go! is a really special show for us at Sky Kids,” Murphy said. “The series helps support neurodiverse children and their families and friends as they navigate the world. We know that Christmas can be particularly tricky for some children, so we’re delighted to have enlisted the iconic Paloma Faith and our Sky Kids choir to reimagine one of our favourite carols and help everyone enjoy the holidays in the ways that work for them.”

The release of “Silent Night, Gentle Light” coincides with the launch of a Christmas TV Special of “Ready Eddie Go!” on Sky Kids. The show centres around Eddie, a six-year-old autistic boy, as he experiences everyday situations for the first time. This special episode focuses on Eddie’s journey through the Christmas season, offering viewers a unique perspective on the challenges and joys of the holidays through the eyes of a neurodivergent child.

Recognizing that neurodiversity affects a significant portion of the UK population – approximately one in seven people – the creators of this initiative have gone beyond entertainment. Nikki Saunders has collaborated with the Caudwell Children’s Charity to provide practical advice for parents and guardians on making the holiday season more accessible and enjoyable for all children. These tips include gradually decorating the house over several days and maintaining calming routines amidst the festive excitement.

Saunders expressed her gratitude for the project’s potential impact: “Thank you to everyone involved in this beautiful campaign, helping so many children feel supported. I created Eddie, a beautiful autistic character for my son to relate to, sharing his experiences. The Christmas season brings changes in routine, sensory challenges, unexpected visitors and overwhelm at times. Therefore, our Christmas episode of Ready Eddie Go!, alongside this campaign, raises awareness about the build-up to Christmas Day, encouraging everyone to do Christmas your way.”

All proceeds from “Silent Night, Gentle Light” will be donated to the Caudwell Children’s Charity, furthering their mission of supporting children in need and promoting inclusivity and accessibility.

A spokesperson for the Caudwell Children’s Charity praised the initiative: “When Sky Kids approached us with the idea for this campaign, we couldn’t wait to get involved. Their reimagined version of Silent Night delivers a powerful and inclusive message that it’s okay to celebrate Christmas in your own way. Christmas is a very exciting time for a lot of families but for some families, especially those with neurodivergent children, Christmas can be a very unpredictable and daunting time. Our aim is to remind everyone that you don’t have to follow traditional norms; you can create your own rules to make Christmas enjoyable for your family.”

Silent Night, Gentle Light is available from the 12^th December on Amazon Music, Apple Music and iTunes, and Spotify.

Ready Eddie Christmas! is out now on Sky Kids.