Queen's is delighted that a collective of local music artists have recorded a message of hope to show their support in the fight against COVID-19 and help fundraising efforts for life-changing research at Queen's University Belfast for survivors of coronavirus.

Over 30 artists including Andrea Begley, Peter Corry, Duke Special, Brian Kennedy, Margaret Keys and many others launched Heal This Broken Land to help fund research at Queen’s University Belfast and Ulster University (UU).

Professor Judy Bradley from the School of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences at Queen’s along with Dr Brenda O'Neill from the School of Health Sciences at UU will begin their research by collecting information from patients after hospitalisation with COVID-19.

Using assessment techniques for physical and mental well-being Professor Bradley’s team will be pioneering an understanding within Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom more broadly, about what interventions are needed to help COVID-19 survivors to regain their strength both physically and mentally.

Queen’s has expressed its gratitude to local TV producer Petra Ellis and Cormac O’Kane, a record producer from Red Box Recording Studio in Belfast, for the fundraising initiative. Nathalie Trott, the University’s Director of Development and Alumni Relations, said: “What a really wonderful idea; our thanks go out to Petra and Cormac for choosing to bring together their musical friends to create a video thanking the NHS and raising funds for such important research.

“The researchers at Queen’s and UU want to make sure that everyone in Northern Ireland can receive exceptional care and support through their recoveries. 

“Huge thanks also go to all those who gave their time in support of this effort in the face of COVID-19 and to those who will ultimately download the video or otherwise give to the appeal.

"But more than anything, the University would like to acknowledge and thank all those key frontline staff – in the NHS and elsewhere – who are doing so much, for so many at this most difficult time." 

A legacy gift from the late Ms McClelland from Belfast of £9,630 is being used to help support the fund.

Those wishing to support the appeal can make a donation via this link.