A GROUP of Glasgow primary children are hoping to copy the efforts of musicians Bob Geldof and Midge Ure - by helping to feed children in Africa.

In the tradition of Band Aid, the group of stars who came together in 1984 to record a mega-selling record to help starving children in Ethiopia, pupils from St Angela's Primary, Darnley, have recorded a song to raise money.

The 40-strong choir of P6 and P7 youngsters teamed up with the music department of North Glasgow College to record the track Miles Apart. It will raise money for Mary's Meals, the charity that helps feed 600,000 children every day in 16 countries, including Malawi, which was the first country it helped in 2002.

The St Angela's pupils performed the song at a special launch night that saw special guest Johann Lamont, Scottish labour leader and MSP for Glasgow Pollok, lend her support.

All profits from the track will be donated to the charity. It costs just £6.15 for Mary's Meals to feed a child for a whole school year – often the only meal the children receive that day.

Everyone at St Angela's is hoping Miles Apart will raise enough money to support at least 60 children for a year.

P6 teacher Chris Devlin, whose class started learning about the charity and its work in this term's religious education lessons, came up with the idea of writing a charity song.

He said: "The children thought it was a great idea.

"We started looking at how songs are written through language lessons and how to write poetry, it was about them expressing their creativity.

"Once we had the song finalised, we gave it to the school choir, who worked out the harmonies.

"Then we recorded a demo and gave it to North Glasgow College, which worked with its music students on it."

The song was recorded in the college's auditorium, which was converted into a recording studio for the occasion.

Mr Devlin said: "This is monumental for the children. To work with professional musicians, record the song and to see it on iTunes and Amazon, it is a pretty big deal for them.

"As well as all the glamour, they have learned a lot of practical organisational and team skills."

Kirsten Walsh, whose 10-year-old son Reece, is involved in the project, said: "It's good for the children to learn about Malawi.

"Reece wanted football cards but then realised what the money could be used for – it teaches them about appreciation."

Reece said: "I feel very proud to be part of something that will make a difference to other children's lives.

"I enjoyed helping to write the song and I loved it when it was finished."

Robyn Carter, also 10, was equally proud to be involved.

She said: "When you think about what you get compared to what the children in Malawi get, it makes you feel greedy."

Brendan Duffy, St Angela's head teacher, said: "Everyone in the school is proud of the song and the quality of the recording is fantastic.

"The children have a better understanding of the charity and the issues in Malawi and it makes them appreciate what they have.

"We would like to thank North Glasgow College for all their help with this project."

Ms Lamont said: "'I am delighted to support St Angela's Primary in all it is doing to support Mary's Meals – helping not only to make sure that children are fed but that they get access to the education that could transform their lives."

Tony Begley, education coordinator for Mary's Meals, said: "I'm gobsmacked by what the children have achieved.

"At Mary's Meals we try to feed as many children as we possibly can in a place of education. We believe not only will that bring about generational change but real change.

"The song is inspirational and the fact it has come from children who will ultimately be helping other children, that's lovely."

l Miles Apart is available to download from iTunes and Amazon.

lalita.augustine @eveningtimes.co.uk