LORRAINE WORSLEY MBE, Director of Community Leisure Projects

"We are not promoting a worthy cause, we are supporting a basic right."

"We believe there is no better way to use direct integration to promote disability awareness."

DAVID BOWIE

"This is a really great cause. The proceeds of this project will help fund some very positive programs and events, and I would be knocked out if we could get behind this, this Christmas! Order the CD! Many Thanks"

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29th January 1999 - CLP Press Release

HEROES INTERNATIONAL

Press Release

Such has been the interest shown in the HEROES since the launch of their single that North West Charity CLP has set up HEROES INTERNATIONAL an exclusive club of Heroes friends and supporters from outside the UK.

Membership is achieved automatically with any order or enquiry received either via the internet, e-mail or fax from Heroes supporters living all over the world.

A spokesperson for CLP (Community Leisure Projects) who own and manage the Heroes said: "Given the sheer volume of interest that has been shown a friends/supporters club is a great idea."

There are two types of enquiry, people who wish to obtain the groups music and those who support disability awareness and the social integration of disabled people. They have all been brought together by one common factor, they are interested in either listening to The Heroes or supporting what they stand for.

Members of Heroes International will receive regular updates and news of the groups progress and other developments as well as stories as reported across the world. Plus details of other Heroes products as they become available.

"The group were featured in 18 American magazines and publications last week alone, and they had over 17,000 internet enquiries in one 24 hour period on December 22nd. We have also been taking a steady stream of advance orders for the groups debut album and its not even due out until the end of March." said the CLP spokesperson.

The charity has to date received enquiries from all over Europe, plus America, Canada, Taiwan, Japan, South Africa and Australia.

As for the single, a slick version of the DAVID BOWIE classic "Heroes" - "Hot Cakes" was the reply.

For further information contact CLP on 0161 236 1878. Mobile: 07970 744363.

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9th January 1999 - Metro News

MASSIVE INTEREST AMAZES HEROES

Diary News

The Heroes pop group, managed by Manchester based Community Leisure Projects, and formed to boost integration among disabled people, have been overwhelmed by the response to their debut release.

The single, Heroes, a cover version of the David Bowie classic, is generating interest from all over the world.

David Bowie, himself, has now encouraged his legions of fans to support the project, saying: "This is really a great cause."

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22nd December 1998 - CLP News Release

Bowie - Thumbs Up For Heroes

Press Release

Community Leisure Projects are delighted that a pop group formed as part of a campaign to increase awareness of the social integration of disabled people into mainstream society has been acknowledged by the rock icon whose song they have chosen to release.

The Heroes launched their version of David Bowie's classic song Heroes as part of the CLP campaign launched at the beginning of December.

When David heard of the Manchester based charities effort he encouraged his legions of fans across the globe to support the project and his BowieNet web site on the internet has adopted the CLP project as their festive charity cause.

In an official statement Bowie said: "This is a really great cause and the proceeds of this project will help fund some very positive programmes and events. I would be knocked out if we could all get behind this cause so buy the CD! Many thanks". David Bowie.

Lorraine Worsley director of CLP said: "We are obviously thrilled with the support David is giving our project. "It is a much valued acknowledgement and we are very grateful to him and his organisation for their interest and support."

The Heroes themselves are currently in the studio completing their debut album 'Access All Areas' from which the Bowie track is taken.

Brian Eno the man who co-penned Heroes with Bowie is aware of the project and has also approved and offered support to the initiative.

Copies can be obtained direct from CLP on 0161 236 1878.

- ENDS -

For further information contact CLP on 0161 236 1878, fax: 0161 228 0085 or Mobile: 07970 744363.

Community Leisure Projects (CLP)
Suite 14b, 3rd Floor, St. James's Building, 79 Oxford Street, Manchester M1 6EJ.

Director: L.C. Worsley, MBE. Chairman: J. Warmisham.
Patrons led by Sir David Trippier.
Registered UK Charity No. 1016634

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17th December 1998 - CLP Press Release

David Bowie Adopts The Heroes Charity

Press Release

COMMUNITY LEISURE PROJECTS (CLP) are delighted and honoured to announce that DAVID BOWIE through BowieNet (www.davidbowie.com) has officially adopted THE "HEROES" PROJECT for this festive period.

David posted the question to the BowieNet community: "What shall we do... and for whom, this Christmas?" and after receiving several requests, BowieNet decided that the "Heroes" fund raising charity project will be their special Christmas community activity.

CLP would like to take this opportunity to personally thank everybody concerned in bringing this social awareness campaign to a wider audience.

We are not promoting a worthy cause, we are supporting a basic right.

Community Leisure Projects (CLP) is a registered charity based in Manchester, England and covers the whole of the North West region.

Our aim is to develop and encourage the social integration of disabled people into mainstream society. We organise a calendar of social events for young disabled people, where they can enjoy socialising in the company of their able bodied friends.

We hope that by providing these social activities, disabled people will use the experience as a stepping stone toward achieving social self sufficiency. Of course they can only achieve this with full social acceptance which in turn can only be achieved via social awareness.

The events that the CLP stage and the venues we use provide evidence that full integration of disabled people into a social environment is not only achievable, it is also an essential requirement of a rapidly developing and ethically responsible world.

In April 1998, CLP staged our "Flight Of Fancy" project when we hired a Boeing 757 to take over 200 disabled people on a 2 hour pleasure flight around the UK and Ireland.

The Discotheque Royale in Manchester is hired twice a year for our Summer and Christmas disco's attracting over 1,000 revellers to both events. Earlier this year, we organised a group trip to the Beatles exhibition in Liverpool. We regularly take groups to the Manchester Arena to watch the Manchester Giant's Basketball team. We host carers awareness days and stage equal opportunities training events.

Another special project of interest that is currently being organised is "The Amateur Variety Performance Of Youth".

To be staged at the Palace Theatre Manchester next year in conjunction with The Prince's Trust. Disabled people will naturally be featured in this production given the fact that disabled issues effect every one of the many community cultures that we intend to feature at this event.

CLP events serve to increase awareness, promote a better understanding of integration and provide valuable life skill experiences for disabled people.

Thank you for your support.

For further information please contact CLP on 0161 236 1878, fax: 0161 228 0085 or Mobile: 07970 744363.

Community Leisure Projects (CLP)
Suite 14b, 3rd Floor, St. James's Building, 79 Oxford Street, Manchester M1 6EJ.

Director: L.C. Worsley, MBE. Chairman: J. Warmisham.
Patrons led by Sir David Trippier.
Registered UK Charity No. 1016634

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4th January 1999 - Manchester Evening News

THEY'RE MY HEROES SAYS BOWIE

By Carl Palmer

THE Heroes pop group, formed to boost integration among disabled people in the North West, have been overwhelmed by the worldwide response to their debut single - Heroes, a cover version of the David Bowie classic.

Bowie himself (pictured) has encouraged his fans across the globe to support the band, 13 disabled and able-bodied Greater Manchester musicians, saying: "This is a great cause, and the proceeds from this project will go a long way to funding very positive programmes and events. I would be knocked out if we could all get behind this cause, so buy the CD."

The single, available from HMV stores, has been causing a stir on the internet, and one one site it is number one in a chart where it has been selected as best music track on the worldwide web, generating demand from the USA, Canada, South Africa, Taiwan, Japan, and Australia. The group's designated page on Bowie.net attracted more than 17,000 hits in 24 hours.

Manchester-based charity Community Leisure Projects, whose patrons include Sir David Trippier, set up and manage The Heroes. CLP director Lorraine Worsley tells me: "The Heroes were formed to increase awareness of disability integration in the north west, but it is a global issue and the world is responding." Further information contact Lorraine on 0161 236 1878.

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December 1998 - Spin Magazine Online (AOL)

Bowie: We Could Be Heroes

Online

Rock legend David Bowie has, via his own ISP, Bowienet (www.davidbowie.com), publicly adopted the charity fund The Heroes Project to mark this holiday season. A short time ago, Bowie posted to Bowienet subscribers: "What shall we do... and for whom, this Christmas?" After fielding suggestions, the Bowienet community decided on the Heroes Project, an offshoot of the UK charity Community Leisure Projects (CLP), which helps integrate the disabled into society via social events such as concerts, dances, sporting events, and trips. For further information about CLP and how to donate to the Heroes Project, go to www.bowiewonderworld.com/clp.htm

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November 1998 - CLP News Release

Makin' Sound Waves

News Release

Registered Manchester Charity, CLP are behind an awareness campaign to encourage the social integration of disabled people into mainstream society.

In a unique and exciting project that aims to use music to influence social attitude the charity are co-ordinating the "Heroes" Project.

CLP Director Lorraine Worsley said: "It is a very exciting and unique project, we have formed a band made up of both disabled and able-bodied people. It represents an ideal model that demonstrates effective integration."

The Heroes have already been in the recording studio and are hoping to attract record company interest with their music. A spokesman for the Heroes said: "The music represents the heart of a much bigger awareness campaign and it's not just about making a noise, it's about making a difference."

CLP specialise in staging social events for both disabled people and their able-bodied friends.

For further information contact CLP on 0161 236 1878.

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November 1998 - CLP

CLP Xmas Disco and Heroes Launch Party

VIP Invitation

The Heroes CD "Heroes" will be launched on Raw Fish Records in early December. To mark the occasion we are hosting a celebration and you are invited to join us at our official launch party.

.....It all takes place on 30th November at Discotheque Royale, Peter Street, Manchester. The VIP reception starts at 6.00pm and the disco will commence at 7.00pm.

.....As the object of the Heroes Project is to increase awareness of disabled people into mainstream society, our launch has been purposely timed to coincide with our annual disco because in true CLP spirit there's no better way to celebrate than to integrate.

.....We hope you will be able to join us and look forward to receiving your confirmation.

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9th December 1998 - Stockport Express

The Heroes aim for Christmas chart success

News

YOUNG disabled Stockport adults are making a bid for the Christmas charts after releasing their very own debut single.

.....Pop band The Heroes released the CD last week, a cover of the David Bowie song of the same title.

.....The 12-strong singing group is a mixture of able-bodied and disabled young people from the Stockport and Manchester areas.

.....Three of the backing singers, Mandy, Mark and Philip, are from Cheadle Hulme and Hazel Grove.

....."She does like singing," said Mandy's carer. "She can't read or write, but it's given her a lot of self confidence being in this group. She is happy about it."

.....Mark said: "I feel I've accomplished something. It would be wonderful to get on Top Of The Pops."

.....And the single has been such a success that David Bowie himself has asked for a copy.

.....The idea was born in June when Terry Day, former BBC GMR presenter hosted a disco in Manchester for the charity Community Leisure Projects (CLP), which organises integrated events for able-bodied and disabled people.

....."I had a diabolical idea on stage in front of 600 people. I asked them if they wanted to make a CD. We got 65 names and telephone numbers," said Mr. Day. Names were picked randomly.

.....They were signed to Raw Fish Records and the single was recorded in a day at The Cutting Rooms in Abraham Moss Educational Facility, Manchester. "We recorded it with Bowie tribute band The Diamondogz from Exeter," he said.

.....The Heroes have already recorded their second single, and have started work on an album - Access All Areas. If you would like a copy of their single, send a cheque for £4 (including postage and packaging) to Terry Day, Community Leisure Projects, Suite 4b, Third Floor, St. James's Building, 79 Oxford Street, Manchester, M1 6EJ. You can even see them on the Internet at http://www.bowiewonderworld.com and read all about them.

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3rd October 1998 - Manchester Evening News

Party time for a band of heroes

News

A ROCK group is on song to spearhead a campaign to help disabled people.

.....The band, formed by Manchester-based charity Community Leisure Projects, has just celebrated the release of a debut single - a cover of David Bowie's classic "Heroes". The band, made up mainly of disabled singers, had adopted the same name.

.....The charity hopes the record, will help integrate the disabled into mainstream society. CLP organises events for young disabled people to socialise with able bodied friends.

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2nd October 1998

MISSION FOR BAND OF HEROES

By Don Frame

A ROCK group is on song to spearhead a campaign to help disabled people.

.....A band formed by Manchester based charity Community Leisure Projects has just secured a recording contract.

.....Their debut single is a cover of David Bowie's classic song "Heroes" and the group has adopted the same name.

.....The charity is hoping that the record, and an album release which will follow, will help promote their message of the importance of integrating the disabled into mainstream society.

.....The band of 15, made up mainly of disabled singers, is fronted by Manchester music veteran Terry Day, the Social Event Co-Ordinator for the CLP, who played in top bands in the 70s, and hosted a show on GMR.

.....He said: "The music has to be good, but as well as being entertaining we hope to use it to get our message across, and a rock band was the ideal vehicle.

....."We chose Heroes as our first record because it's an action song, and as well as generating funds, we want to generate interest and awareness."

.....The charity, which organises events where young disabled people socialise with able bodied friends, funded the recording of the single which will be released in December.

.....The Co-Operative Bank is sponsoring the follow-up album.

.....Terry said: "We are already involved in talks with a major company over marketing the record. Initial interest will probably be restricted to the north west, but if we were to receive national attention we would be delighted."

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THE HEROES BACK IN THE STUDIO

I was kindly invited by the CLP to the Cutting Rooms Studios in Manchester last week to meet some of the The Heroes whilst they were recording four new songs for their forthcoming album 'Access All Areas'. I took some snaps and chatted with them and also their parents and carers.

To my complete surprise, CLP gave me the task of announcing to everyone that David Bowie and BowieNet had officially adopted their cause for this festive season. I thought they already knew!

You should have seen their faces, especially their parents and carers. Words cannot justify their response to the news, but suffice to say it was the most humbling experience I think I've ever had.

      

    

The Heroes on this studio session are Michael, Mandy, Mark, Michael, Paddy and George. With the assistance of Terry and Brian.

On behalf of The Heroes, their parents/carers and the CLP, I would like to thank David and BowieNet for making a lot of people happy and proud this Christmas.

Thank you very much.

Paul Kinder.

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