Channel entrepreneur takes on Ariana Grande in race for Xmas number one

VCW Security boss Mike Harris throws weight behind local firefighters' festive charity contender, which is now third favourite to top the charts this Yuletide

A charity single that is third-favourite to bag the coveted Christmas number one spot has been bankrolled by serial tech channel entrepreneur Mike Harris.

Mike Harris, who owns Shropshire-based distributor VCW Security, told CRN his financial support has helped 'The Fire Tones' produce and promote their version of 'Do They Know It's Christmas', which is now 10 to 1 with William Hill to top the charts this Yuletide.

The Fire Tones is comprised of firefighters from the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue service as well as other fire personnel from across the country.

They are releasing their rendition of the Band Aid classic on 30 November.

Harris, who sold his reseller Total Network Solutions to BT in 2005 in and also owns Welsh Premiere League champions The New Saints FC, is using the marketing from both the football club and VCW Security to fund the production of CDs, as well as get the word out.

"I got talking to one of my acquaintances and they were telling me that they had managed to secure the rights to Band Aid's single ‘Do They Know It's Christmas?'" Harris told CRN.

"He wanted to release it this Christmas and was looking for financial help to make the CDs and promote it. We saw this as a good cause and it's a charitable time of the year, so why not help?"

All money raised from the single will be divided equally between the Band Aid Charitable Trust, which provides overseas famine relief, and the Fire Fighters Charity, which provides health and wellbeing services to members of the fire community.

Supporting the song is important to Harris and he is hoping that pockets will jingle for the charity single, especially as it is a grassroots group.

"As much as some of these big organisations are doing great work, you don't see where your pound goes - does it really get to the people they say they are going to help?" he stated.

"When people put in small amounts of money into local and regional foundations, you can actually see the outcomes and the people carrying out the activities. I think that gives a greater sense of satisfaction than just giving a charity £100 and hoping it sees the fullness of that."

Bookmaker William Hill is currently giving odds of 10-1 to The Fire Tones - ahead of this year's X Factor winner, Little Mix and Jess Glynne.

"There is stiff competition," admitted Harris about the single's potential to claim the top spot.

"Elton John has thrown his hat in the ring, and Ariana Grande has something being released too. But, hey, the firefighters from Welshpool are going to give it a good go!"

VCW Security counts D-Link and ExtraHop among its vendor partners, and currently has a headcount of 20 in its Oswestry office.