Songwriter of chart-topping charity single misses his mum who had dementia 'most at Christmas'

Songwriter Alan Stott has teamed up with Birmingham Conservatoire to join the race for the Christmas number one, with a jazz version of ‘What are we gonna do for Christmas?’ in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society.

The single was officially released on Tuesday 22 November and is currently sitting at number one in the Official UK iTunes Top 40 Jazz Chart.

Mr Stott wrote the song with an arrangement by Birmingham Conservatoire fourth year student, Josh Tagg. Sixteen pupils from Haslucks Green Junior School in Shirley, West Midlands where Alan Stott taught for eight years also feature on the song.

Songwriter Alan Stott, said: “Several years ago, I watched, helpless, like so many of us, as my mother slipped into Alzheimer’s and dementia. Not only is Christmas when I most miss her, my mother’s passing brought back many sad memories of visiting other elderly relatives at Christmas, and remembering how they struggled so much while everybody else was celebrating and having a good time.

“I knew then that I wanted to do something poignant, not only to raise money to help dementia sufferers like my mother, but also to raise awareness of the thousands up and down the country who don’t see Christmas with the same joy as the rest of us because of their condition.”

Christmas can be a particularly difficult time for people with dementia, as festivities can agitate, confuse, and over stimulate people with Alzheimer’s disease. Loneliness and isolation is a problem for lots of older people, particularly at Christmas, but it is accentuated by those struggling with dementia.

Richard Shrewsbury, learning and participation manager at Birmingham Conservatoire, was keen for the institution to be involved because his grandfather “suffered with Alzheimer’s, a disease that eventually saw him going into a home and being separated from his wife of more than 50 years”.

He added: “Some people choose to run for charity, others choose to jump out of aeroplanes; Birmingham Conservatoire chooses to help produce music for charity and we are really proud to be part of an ever-growing crowd that have put time and effort into such a worthwhile cause.”

The song itself was performed for the first time live on 22 November at the installation ceremony for Birmingham City University’s new Chancellor, Sir Lenny Henry, at Birmingham Town Hall.

It is estimated that around 850,000 people in the UK have dementia, which is predicted to rise to over two million by 2051.

Carolyn McDonald, community fundraiser for Alzheimer’s Society said: “Christmas is a time of year when families come together and it’s great to see so many people and organisations, such as Birmingham Conservatoire, rallying around Alan’s charity single: ‘What Are We Gonna Do For Christmas?’

“Dementia poses a challenge to many families across the West Midlands and it can prove quite isolating. Alzheimer’s Society is very grateful for Alan’s support and the funds raised will contribute to important research into dementia and valuable services for those currently living with the condition.”

Giving Is Easy Big Band – ‘What Are We Gonna Do For Christmas?’ is out now on and available to download via iTunes and Amazon. You can also make a donation via Alan Stott’s JustGiving webpage https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/what-are-we-gonna-do-for-christmas