The NHS is hoping to make it back-to-back Christmas number ones thanks to the Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust Choir.

Last year the nation rallied around the trust’s counterparts from Lewisham and Greenwich to help them beat singer Justin Bieber to the top of the charts, with the Canadian even visiting them to present the official Christmas number one chart award.

Inspired by their success, our local trust has employed the help of an upcoming jazz artist in a bid to boost sales of its own charity single.

Shane Hampsheir, 28, has been compared to festive favourite Michael Buble and has a tight-knit relationship with the trust through step-mum Leslieann Osborn, who has run the choir for the past five years.

“It’s an original song from his album, rearranged for the choir, so we’re busy rehearsing that at the moment,” she explained.

“We’re looking to get it out before December.”

The song is called By Your Side and the 40-strong choir’s rendition will be available to download on all the usual music services, like iTunes, Amazon and Spotify, as well CD.

Although the priority is raising plenty of cash for the trust’s cancer fighting fund, Ms Osborn can’t help but dream of matching Lewisham and Greenwich’s chart-topping track.

“I think it’s got a really good chance because it’s an original song and it’s not just a Christmas song,” she said.

“Shane has been singing since he was at school. He’s a swing singer and he’s put together a debut album, which cost him a small fortune, so he’s been trying to get some people interested.

“I thought this could be a win-win — it helps us and it helps promote Shane.”

The trust’s choir already has some experience in the spotlight having filmed an appearance on Gareth Malone’s The Choir: Best in Britain show, which started last week on BBC Two.

The trust will appear in the south east episode in a few weeks’ time.

Until then rehearsals will continue for the Christmas single, which will be performed live for patients at the hospital.

For a taste of what to expect, visit shanehampsheir.co.uk.