AN unlikely encounter during the audition stages for Britain’s Got Talent has resulted in two Dudley borough men forming a charitable bond.

Stourbridge singer Steve Heathcock has teamed up with Dudley rapper Soulkeeper – also known as Lawson Smith – to raise money for disadvantaged children across the UK.

The duo, who collectively call themselves Soul Division, formed a friendship following their chance meeting and earlier this summer got together in a Birmingham studio to create their charity single ‘Stand Up For Children’.

The pair will donate all the profits of the single to this year’s Children in Need appeal which takes place on Friday November 13.

Steve, from Norton, who is recognisable to some for his England backing charity World Cup tune in 2010, said of his meeting with Lawson: “We stood by each other in the queue, waiting and chatting, and we hit it right off. We became friends and have been ever since.”

The 48-year-old has been singing around clubs in the Midlands for more than 20 years and said it was due to his own difficulties growing up which made him want to create the song for Children in Need.

Steve said: “I approached Lawson earlier this year with idea of a song I had started to write for Children in Need.

“I didn’t have the best of childhoods as I was in care, and I wanted to do something to help children not have to go through what I did.

“Children in Need is a great charity which does brilliant work with children across the country. I just wish they were around when I was young.

“I really hope the song will raise a lot of money and help to give something back.”

Stourbridge News:

Birmingham-based company Gotham Records has recently signed the pair and will release the single on November 6.

A video for the single is due to be shot in the next few weeks, featuring Benefit Street’s WhiteDee, aka Dee Kelly, in a guest role.

For more information about the single visit www.steveheathcock.co.uk