SEVENTY youngsters pooled their musical talents to record a charity single in aid of Oxford Children’s Hospital.

More than 500 school pupils aged five to 18 took part in schools’ talent contest Talent Oxford auditions in May, with 70 chosen to record the single Everybody.

The track, by Hannah Montana songwriter Marcus Flynn, was launched with a DVD of the children recording the single at the SAE Institute creative media college at Littlemore Park, Oxford.

Talent Oxford was set up in February by Oxford-based L and M Marketing Group.

Spokesman Lydiah Igweh said: “The pupils who were chosen came from schools across the county and they have recorded a great single together, which we hope will raise lots of money for the children’s hospital.

“They shot the video at St Gregory the Great School in Cowley in July and pupils also performed the song on stage at the Cowley Road Carnival.

“The single and DVD combination will sell for £9.99, with 25 per cent of the profits donated to the children’s hospital.

“The rest of the money will be ploughed back into the competition so that we can stage it again next year.

“We don’t quite know how much money we will raise because it will depend on demand for the single – we hope to raise hundreds of pounds but we would love to raise thousands if we could.”

Andy McIntosh, 17, from Deer Park, Witney, who is studying performing arts at Abingdon and Witney College, said: “It was a fantastic experience recording this single.

“I had never been in a recording studio before and it was really interesting to see the way everything worked.”

Nina Rieber-Hodgson, 11, from Wantage, a pupil at the town’s King Alfred’s Sports College, added: “I really enjoyed singing on the single and my dad bought me a new dress for the launch night.”

Nina’s father, Nick Reiber-Hodgson, 43, added: “This whole thing has been very well organised and Nina has really enjoyed the experience.

“It was great to see her getting on stage at the Cowley Road Carnival and she has made lots of new friends.”

Sarah Vaccari, a spokesman for the children’s hospital, said: “We are really delighted that Talent Oxford has chosen to support the ospital in this way and it is heartening to see that these talented youngsters want to help other children, when they need it most.

“This could make a real difference to the many thousands of local children we treat every year.”

affrench@oxfordmail.co.uk To buy a copy of the single, which will be on sale until January 1, 2011, email enquiries@ talentoxford.co.uk or call 01865 263184.