A PARTY to celebrate the release of The X Factor contestants’ charity single was held at Naomi House and jacksplace hospices.

The two children’s hospices, in Sutton Scotney, will benefit from funds raised from the single Wishing on a Star which was performed by the contestants last Sunday.

All the profits from the sale of the single will be donated to Together for Short Lives, a charity which supports 23,000 children with life-limiting conditions in the UK. A share of these profits will go to Naomi House and jacksplace.

More than 12 children and young people attended a party with their families and staff from the two hospices to watch The X Factor acts perform the Rose Royce cover single for the first time on the ITV show, joined by former X Factor finalists JLS and One Direction. They decorated the hospice with X Factor bunting for the occasion.

Ray Kipling, chief executive of Naomi House and jacksplace, said: “The X Factor single gives Naomi House and jacksplace a unique opportunity to raise awareness of our work supporting children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.

“I would urge everybody to make sure they get their copy of the Christmas single, as every penny raised will help us enhance the lives of those youngsters and families that rely on the work we do.”

The X Factor maestro Simon Cowell, who has worked closely with Together for Short Lives for many years, said: “Seeing the amazing work they do for kids and their families who need help and support, I am thrilled that The X Factor charity single this year will benefit this charity.”

The Treasury has agreed to make sales of the single exempt from VAT.