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Song about young girl who has survived five operations beats Barry Manilow in the charts

A song written about a little girl who has survived five life-threatening operations is proving a huge success - even knocking Barry Manilow off the top of an easy-listening chart.

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Kiahna's Song is about eight-year-old Kiahna Taylor-Brummell, daughter of publicans Neil Taylor and Kerry Brummell who run the Fox at Shipley pub near Pattingham.

Penned by Mr Taylor's friends, Andrew Ayres and Steph Burgess, from Stoke, the song has exceeded all expectations.

And now the people behind it are aiming for the top 40, with money raised going to Birmingham Children's Hospital.

The song celebrates the youngster's courage and determination and tells the story of a parent's anxious wait for their child to return from theatre and a critical operation.

Mr Taylor, 44, said he was overwhelmed with the success of the song, which can regularly be heard playing at the pub.

"It's gone really well and obviously all the money goes to the children's hospital.

"Andrew has come up with a beautiful song to depict an extremely emotional time in our lives and one that a lot of parents can sympathise with.

"It has tugged at a lot of heart strings and I'm hoping we can achieve the unthinkable and actually get into the official top 40.

"I know Kiahna's really excited about the possibility of being in the same chart as One Direction and Union J."

The song was released earlier this month and has also reached number 53 in the US easy listening download chart, as well as topping the same UK chart.

The two performers have themselves experienced their own young children being seriously ill.

Mr Ayres said he was shocked and delighted at how well Kiahna's Song had been received.

He added: "To knock Barry Manilow off the number one spot in any chart is something every musician dreams of, but the fact we're raising money for such an outstanding charity makes it even better.

"You never know, he might even download a copy himself."

The single is the latest in a number of fundraising ventures in aid of Kiahna and Birmingham Children's Hospital.

Football matches and quiz nights have been held at the Fox at Shipley, while Mr Taylor also completed a gruelling seven-day challenge earlier this year,which included running the Paris and London marathons and riding more than 400 miles to get to both events.

He added: "We've raised about £60,000 so far but that's just the start.

"We've got lots of new challenges and ideas to generate more cash for Birmingham Children's Hospital so they can purchase vital equipment."

Kiahna's Song is available for 79p across all of the major download websites, including iTunes, Google Play and CDBaby.

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