Country singer inspired by her day job to release hymn for St Wilfrid's Hospice

The 35-year-old, who works for Payne and Sons Funeral Directors in Eastbourne and previously led services as a celebrant, says her life is “a bit like a country song”.

She said: “I work my nine to five in the office, just like Dolly – but I love it. I think it’s a very nurturing space for a country singer, seeing people’s real lives.

"You’ve got to have a caring nature. There's that sense of relief when you can help people through it."

Having moved to Nashville, Tennessee, when she was in her 20s and fallen in love with country music, Belle started to write her own songs and has since been nominated for awards for her debut album, Rewind.

But the singer has recently turned her hand to a different form of song and released a version of the hymn How Great Thou Art to raise money for St Wilfrid’s Hospice in Eastbourne.

Belle Cannon

She said: “Although my general topic is singing about beer and broken hearts, a hymn felt more suitable for what we are dealing with at the moment in this crisis.

"In my role I just know what people are going through at this time. There's so much tragedy.

“I’m the first point of contact for people planning their funerals. It’s heartbreaking as we now can’t go in to the hospice as we would normally to help people plan their own funerals, which we call pre-care. This can really take the strain off families.

“Hospices have been hit so hard by the pandemic. I’ve worked non-stop through lockdown and I felt compelled to do something to recognise how amazing they are.

“St Wilfrid’s is a very special place.”

Belle Cannon outside St Wilfrid's Hospice in Eastbourne

Belle recorded her vocals for the track in Hastings and it was mixed in Nashville. It has been released on iTunes, Spotify and Amazon Music, with all proceeds going to St Wilfrid’s.

She said: “I just hope that people can relate to the music behind it.

"The hymn really invites everyone to acknowledge How Great Thou Art - especially hospice staff.

”Music captures people’s imaginations like nothing else."

Belle, who would normally be playing in pubs, lining dancing bars and country music clubs around the country, said that music is in her blood and she has always loved to sing.

She said: “I’m from an Irish American family and my grandfather wrote the song Galway Bay.

“We really are a musical family. Whatever my day job is, it will always be.”

To download How Great Thou Art, visit iTunes, Spotify or Amazon Music. All proceeds will go to St Wilfrid's Hospice.