FRIENDS of a talented musician left fighting for his life after having a cardiac arrest behind the wheel of a car are hoping to get his band’s single backing the England football team into the charts in his honour.
Joe Murphy, 41, was taken to hospital in a life-threatening condition after suffering a cardiac arrest before crashing in Mersea Road, Colchester, on Saturday, June 5.
Now stable and hopefully able to return home to Colchester soon, Joe’s friends are encouraging people to stream or download his band Koopa’s track Stand Up 4 England to give him a much-needed boost.
Emmaleigh Kelly, who is organising the campaign, said: “Ross Blake came up with the idea as he thought it would be a nice surprise for bassist Joe when he gets out of hospital.
“Joe is incredibly proud of his music career and he is always talking about music.
“Ross said he thought it would be a really nice idea to have people talking about the band again.
“There isn’t any better time for the song to be heard again either with the Euros going on.”
Koopa were formed by Joe and Sible Hedingham brothers Stu and Olly Cooper back in the early noughties.
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The pop-punk trio made history in 2007 when they became the first band to make the UK Top 40 through digital sales alone. They were also the first unsigned band to achieve the feat.
The Sible Hedingham band went on to have more chart and touring success.
Stand up 4 England was an unofficial England anthem first released for the 2006 World Cup, with the proceeds going to children’s charity Barnardo’s.
Its video featured former England stars like Gazza and Les Ferdinand as well as celebrities including Danny Dyer. His friends are hoping to see the single make a bid for the charts once again in Joe’s honour.
Emmaleigh said: “Joe is really well-known in Colchester. Since we announced what we were doing lots of people have come out of the woodwork saying they are Koopa fans.
“Knowing how passionate Joe is about his music, this would mean the absolute world to him.”
To listen or download Stand Up 4 England, search on Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer or YouTube.
You can watch the video for Stand Up 4 England here:
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