David pens song for city’s quake appeal

DAVID and Rebecca Thorpe, with daughter Delia, pictured earlier this year with Rebecca’s mother Judith Mitchell (right)

A MUSICIAN who lost his family home in the New Zealand earthquake earlier this year has released a song in a bid to assist the relief effort.

David Thorpe (39), along with his wife Rebecca, who is from Royton, and baby daughter Delia were in Christchurch when it was devastated by a 6.3-scale quake which hit the city in February, killing over 160 people.

Now guitarist David and his band The Swarm have released a song called “Back the Blacks” especially for Sunday’s Rugby World Cup final between the All Blacks and France.

With so many ex-pat New Zealanders in Britain, The Swarm want Kiwis overseas to download the song and sing it loud and proud to cheer on the All Blacks while raising vital cash for the Christchurch Earthquake Mayoral Fund.

Mr and Mrs Thorpe’s home was left uninhabitable and they were forced to fly to the UK and live with Rebecca’s parents in Tandle Hill Road for a month.

The couple are now living in a rented house in Christchurch and have been told their former home will be demolished.

Judith Mitchell, Rebecca’s mum said: “I’m constantly watching out for earthquakes over there — only at the weekend there was one that measured 5.5.

“David and his friend thought it would be a good idea to write a song and raise some cash.

“I’ve downloaded it, it’s quite good actually, and of course my grand-daughter is a Kiwi so I’ll be cheering for the All Blacks.”

David, who hails from Stockport, said: “I have been part of a supporters song project because it’s been a pretty intense year for us all in Christchurch. It’s hard to comprehend how the earthquakes have devastated our city but we are determined, resilient bunch, we are keeping positive, keeping moving and most importantly we are still singing!”

The song and video are available to download via the band’s website, theswarm.co.nz, and to view at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=oLntfpZJjKE.