​Trade unionist's hymn to our common humanity is available to download

A singer songwriter is using his music to raise money for Syrian refugees by releasing a single into the UK download charts.

Davy Kettyles’ song Humanity was written to mark the first anniversary of the death of Alan Kurdi, the Syrian toddler who drowned along with most of his family as they tried to reach safety in Europe.

Kettyles is a senior organiser with trade union Unite the union in Ireland, and has spent time working with Unite Scotland.

He has created fundraising page called ‘Unite for Humanity’ – where people can download the song and make a donation to Save the Children’s Child Refugee Crisis Appeal.

It’s a call to recognise our shared humanity in contrast to the rise of fascist and racist views in the UK

He said: “I was powerfully moved by the death of little Alan, and by the plight of so many people who have been forced to leave their homes because of war.

“I hope people feel that emotion coming through in the song and the accompanying video. I’ve tried to capture the plight of ordinary human beings fleeing their homes in search of sanctuary and the truly awful things that happen on that journey.

“It’s a call for people to recognise the values of our shared humanity, and stands in contrast to the ongoing rise of fascist and racist views in the UK and Europe.”

Unite Scottish secretary Pat Rafferty said: “Davy has created something that is powerful and moving. The union will use the song to raise awareness of the ongoing human crisis faced by these refugees, and we hope that our members and other trade unionists in Scotland will donate to the Unite for Humanity appeal and perhaps even send this song into the charts.”

Neil Mathers, Save the Children’s head of Scotland, said: “Save the Children has been working on the refugee crisis since it began.

“We have witnessed first-hand the devastation that this conflict has caused for hundreds of thousands of families. The children that have seen friends killed in the street or watched as their homes and schools have been destroyed, followed by mass exodus to camps in surrounding countries. They have been forced to live in tents often without proper sanitation, or fresh food, without schools or healthcare.

“Davy’s song and the support of Unite means that we can raise money and awareness for those who are fleeing for their lives. We really do appreciate it”.

The chorus of the song is: “Why can’t you see, they’re just people like you and like me. And what would you do, if it happened to me and to you?”

Since the beginning of the year more than 3,000 men women and children have drowned in the Aegean Sea, only to be – as the song describes - “washed up on a beach”.

People can make a donation and download the song here.