A GROUP of Borders musicians are hoping the Foo Fighters will help raise the profile of their new charity single.

This week, members of Melrose's Merlin Academy released a video cover of the band's hit Times Like These.

And they have contacted Dave Grohl's group in a bid to rack up funds for cancer charities Jak's Den and Logan's Fund – which have both helped one of their young members who battled acute lymphocytic leukaemia.

Bridget Gray, director of the Merlin Academy of Traditional Music, said: "Two years ago a nurse from Borders General Hospital asked if we could give music lessons to a young girl called Melis Mistik, who was just six at the time.

"We were delighted to help and Logan's Fund charity stepped forward to sponsor her.

"Since then we have done fundraising concerts to raise money for that charity and Jak's Den, as they both do amazing things.

“We cannot let these great charities fall by the wayside.

"We took great pride and honour in sharing the monumental moment when Melis rang the Bell last December at the Sick Kids Hospital in Edinburgh."

In their latest fundraiser released on Youtube this week, 38 members of the academy each recorded themselves singing one of the Foo Fighters' biggest hits – Times Like These.

Bridget added: "We have never done anything like this before and it was such a difficult thing to put together, as [due to coronavirus restrictions] everyone had recorded themselves separately on their phone and emailed them in to us.

"Melis' mum Pinar also features in the track. She has singing lessons with us and dad Ilker has guitar lessons."

Now, to help get their voices heard, they have been in contact with the American band.

Bridget said: "We messaged the Foo Fighters on social media and they have seen the message, so they know we are covering their song Times Like These.

"They haven't responded to us, but we are keeping our fingers crossed they get in touch with us."

To view the academy's cover or donate to the charities, visit this page.