(Image: Veterans In Crisis, Sunderland)
Six North East veterans are aiming for a Christmas No.1 hit with a new single.
We’re Still Here, an original Christmas song written and performed by Afghanistan veteran and former Royal Engineer Stu Mendelson, brings together veterans and families from across the UK.
Vocals from the Sunderland group of six were recorded at The Bunker, with support from the Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Robert Hutchinson, who also sings on the track.
(Image: Veterans In Crisis, Sunderland)
Ger Fowler, founder of Veterans in Crisis Sunderland, said: "I’ve never seen such big smiles on their faces.
"They came out absolutely beaming."
(Image: Veterans In Crisis, Sunderland)
The project unites veterans from both the North and South of England, as well as the wider armed forces community.
Mr Mendelson, who was seriously injured by an IED in Afghanistan in 2009, said: "When you serve, nobody cares whether you're from Sunderland or Stevenage.
"You serve together as one.
"The wars eventually disappear from the newspapers, but the people who served in them and their families don't.
"We're still here."
(Image: Veterans In Crisis, Sunderland)
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Around 25 members of the armed forces community contributed vocals to the single.
The song is set to be released at 11am on November 11, 2026, Armistice Day.
After production costs, money generated by the song will be divided between Veterans in Crisis Sunderland, The Muster Point and Military Wives Choirs.