Father-of-two starts campaign to record charity song for late wife

‘Out of something so tragic has come something so very beautiful:’ Father-of-two launches charity single to help late wife’s LAST wish come true – and it’s already raised over £21,000

  • John Merriman, 40, from London, has helped to record a single for his late wife 
  • Ruth Merriman, 39, was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non Hodgkin Lymphoma in 2018
  • Friends have recorded the song ‘Hold On Change Is Coming’ and released video
  • All the proceeds of the single will go to a charity she worked for called Jigsaw4U
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A father-of-two has helped to make his late wife’s dream come true after she passed away from cancer earlier this month.

John Merriman, 40, from London, who has two son’s Asher, seven, and Nathan, 11, started an online campaign to record a version of Sounds of Blackness’ ‘Hold On Change Is Coming’ for charity.

In July 2018, Ruth Merriman, 39, was training to be an advocate for teenagers in Merton and Sutton with charity Jigsaw4U when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma. 

She had always hoped her friends and family would record her favourite song and donate the proceeds to the charity she worked for, so when she died on 9th March this year, John set to work making her final wish become a reality. 

The new version of the uplifting song, along with a moving video, will be released on Monday 25th March to coincide with Ruth’s funeral, and what would have been her 39th birthday – and it has already raised over £21, 000 in donations. 

‘Out of something so tragic has come something so very beautiful that will impact thousands of people,’ said John. ‘I just wish Ruth were here to enjoy this – she would be as amazed as I am at everyone’s creativity and generosity.’ 


Ruth Merriman, 39, was training to be an advocate for teenagers in Merton and Sutton with charity Jigsaw4U when she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non Hodgkin Lymphoma last July


Ruth pictured with her two boys Nathan, 11 (left) and Asher, seven (second left), and her husband John (right)


A few of the children who helped contribute to the moving tribute – along with Nathan, (left) and Asher, 7 (middle)

Speaking of his wife’s death, John said that Nathan and Asher have found it tough but admitted that him and Ruth were ‘explicitly honest with them about her diagnosis from the start.’

‘She spent 64 nights in hospital having chemotherapy and we knew early on that the prognosis wouldn’t be good,’ he explained. ‘So we made sure we prepared the children as much as we could.    

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Ruth’s heartwarming idea saw local schools, choirs, musicians and dance groups taking part in a project that she hoped would raise £3, 000.

Within just two days of her tragic death, Ruth’s target was smashed and the total continues to rocket daily. 


The project involved staff and 400 pupils from Ruth and John’s sons’ school, Hillcross Primary, with the support of local choir Inner Harmony of which Ruth was a founding member


Pictured, John and Ruth’s young son John gets involved in the video for the song by playing on the drums


A young girl helps to sing one of Ruth’s favourite song’s ‘Hold On Change Is Coming’ for the upcoming charity single – which has already raised £21, 000 for Jigsaw4U

Following his wife’s death, music studio owner and producer John, first set up a Just Giving page and promised anyone who donated an exclusive preview of the track ahead of its release.

Then he got to work, with much of the new recording taking place at this Crown Lane Studio in Morden, southwest London.  

The project involved staff and 400 pupils from Ruth and John’s sons’ school, Hillcross Primary, with the support of local choir Inner Harmony of which Ruth was a founding member. 

It also featured percussion performances from Asher and Nathan, as well as winners of the school’s recent talent contest, and also solo cameos from students whom Ruth had mentored.

‘Only five days after their mummy had died Asher was dancing again and both he and Nathan were drumming their hearts out,’ said John. ‘But this time in honour of their wonderful mum and to help raise funds for a charity close to our hearts.’ 


Pictured, John Merriman and his wife Ruth who tragically passed away on 9th March this year, aged 39


By donating via the Just Giving page the song will be sent to you personally on 25th March


Without John realising, Sutton Dance Academy, of which younger son Asher is a member, had heard about the project and secretly choreographed, rehearsed and filmed a stunning and very emotional dance to accompany the song

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to John, Sutton Dance Academy, of which younger son Asher is a member, secretly choreographed, rehearsed and filmed a stunning and very emotional dance to accompany the song.

The money raised with the sale of the song will go to Jigsaw4U, which offers help to children and young adults going through a variety of difficulties.

The charity has also been instrumental in supporting Ruth and John’s own sons who have had to try and come to terms with their mother’s diagnosis and illness, and so it seemed fitting for the family to donate all funds to the charity. 

If you donate via the Just Giving page, the song will automatically be sent to you on 25th March.

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