Deacon Blue singer donates song proceeds to cancer fund

Renowned Scottish singer and songwriter Ricky Ross of Deacon Blue has agreed to donate the proceeds of one of his new songs to a new fund that supports women diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy.

The fund was set up in memory of Andrea Kearney who was diagnosed with breast cancer at the beginning of 2007 when she was 38 weeks pregnant with her fifth child and died earlier this year.

Her husband Peter Kearney, spokesman for the Catholic Church in Scotland, and his brother, Tony Kearney of the BBC's "River City" programme, launched the Andrea Kearney Fund at a charity evening in November. Ricky Ross and his wife Lorraine McIntosh, also of Deacon Blue, performed at the event.

Ross has pledged to donate all proceeds from his new release "Don't give up on ordinary days" to the fund. The song was written and recorded by Ross for his solo album "Pale Rider", which came out in 2005.

"Once I'd written and recorded the song I decided it didn't quite fit with the rest of that record, I now realise that's because every song has its moment," he said. "It seems to me this song - a celebration of the mystical from the mundane - seems to have found its right moment. I was moved immensely by Andrea's story, it is tragic and profound and left me wanting to help in any way I can."

Responding to the donation, Mr Kearney said, "I am extremely grateful to Ricky for this fantastic gesture, his support is greatly appreciated and I hope as many people as possible download the song and donate to the fund."

The current edition of Woman magazine features a 2-page story on Andrea's untimely death and describes how Peter and the children are facing their first Christmas without her. It will remain on sale until 8 December.

"Don't give up on ordinary days" will be available as a free download from Monday exclusively at www.rickyross.com with a request that for each download a donation be made to the Andrea Kearney Fund at www.andreakearney.org