THOUSANDS of children and adults across the country have been singing and signing to a song written by a Poole school pupil.

Hollie Williams, 12, entered a national competition at the end of last year to write some of the winning lyrics to the song being used in charity SignHealth’s sign2sing campaign to help vulnerable deaf children.

Hollie’s lyrics were put to music and she was invited to London to record a video of her song, Reach out Your Hand, with deaf pop star Fletch.

The Parkstone Grammar School student visited her former school Baden Powell to perform the new song.

“It was very exciting having my song chosen,” Hollie said. “I also felt very proud to be invited to lead the singing and signing at my old school.”

Other local schools to join in singing and signing to Hollie’s song were Canford Heath Junior School, Hillbourne Primary School and Nursery, Old Town Infant School and Nursery, Sylvan Infant School, and Wise Owl Pre-school.

Schools, choirs, businesses and community groups across the country are also invited to learn the song and accompanying signs and use the event as a platform for fundraising activities.

Susie Norbury, fundraising director with SignHealth, said: “We’re delighted that everyone will be singing Hollie’s winning lyrics this year. They really capture the themes of kindness and acceptance.

“Thank you to all the schools in Poole who are helping us raise money to support vulnerable deaf children in the UK and Uganda.”

Councillor Mike White, cabinet portfolio holder for children and young people, added: “The inability of most hearing people to use sign language means deaf children can feel isolated.

“The sign2sing campaign is a fun way to inspire people to discover more about signing. It’s wonderful that Poole schools are supporting this worthwhile campaign, and we are delighted that Hollie was able to get so involved.”