Coronation Street star Kate Ford sings on charity single for Lancaster toddler (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Coronation Street star Kate Ford sings on charity single for Lancaster toddler

7:10am Thursday 8th December 2011 in Carnforth news By Helen Perkins, Reporter

CELEBRITIES have stepped up to the microphone with a Carnforth High School pupil to record a charity single for a terminally-ill three-year-old.

Talented singer Amy Jo Clough, 14, led vocals on the track after using her skills to raise £1,000 for the toddler.

She was joined by more than a dozen household names to record a cover of the The Pretenders’ classic hit I’ll Stand By You.

Kate Ford, who plays Tracy Barlow on Coronation Street, also features on the track, along with Paul Hayes from TV’s Cash In The Attic, Carolynne Poole who reached judges’ houses in this year’s X factor, and Britain’s Got Talent finalist Steven Hall from Kendal.

Their fundraiser was inspired by Ryan Stanford, of Lancaster, who has Alpers’ Disease, a terminal genetic disorder affecting the brain and liver.

The rare condition causes progressive loss of development and severe epilepsy.

There is currently no cure or means of slowing the condition’s development.

Ryan’s family hope the fundraising will support the work of specialists at the Newcastle-based Mitochondrial Research Group, which is undertaking in-depth research into Alpers’ Syndrome.

Ryan’s parents Anne and David Stanford have already raised £42,000, and they hope a Christmas single could add thousands more.

The track was recorded at The Bay radio station in Lancaster.

All money raised from each £5 sale will be donated to The Ryan Stanford Appeal.

Coronation Street star Kate Ford said: “I am absolutely delighted to have been asked to support such a worthwhile charity.”

The CD is available from The Bay in Lancaster and online at the website below.

It is also being sold at branches of Furness Building Society in Cumbria and north Lancashire, as well as Lancaster and Morecambe College and ASDA stores.