Bold claim: music, memory, and compassion can come together to light up the darkest moments of dementia. The Spud Bros—Jacob and Harley Nelson—have teamed up with Vicky McClure and Our Dementia Choir to release a Christmas charity single, Brighter Than The Night, with the aim of spreading dementia awareness while bringing people together through music, food, and kindness.
Starting as a viral sensation on TikTok in 2020, the Preston brothers built a global following selling jacket potatoes from an old tram carriage in Lancashire. Their journey—from a humble “tater tram” to eight million followers across social media—has been fueled by their family ties: their grandmother lives with dementia, a factor that inspired their charitable mission and their collaboration with McClure.
The idea for the charity single sparked after an encounter near their potato-topping setup. An elderly couple approached after the woman had fallen; the partner revealed she had Alzheimer's. This moment resonated deeply with the brothers, underscoring that dementia affects the entire family, not just the person diagnosed. Their heartfelt conversation about the grandmother they care for helped the clip go viral, amassing millions of views and overwhelming community support.
Months later, McClure discovered the Spud Bros on Instagram and expressed mutual admiration. This led to a collaboration that merged their teams—McClure’s Our Dementia Choir with the Spud Bros’ crew—for a project described by all involved as truly special. The recording session in London featured Huw Roberts from the Spud Bros alongside choir members, with the siblings humorously described as singing from the background or rather shouting over the music as they focused on the performance.
McClure praised the finished track as a beautiful, festive, and uplifting song. Her motivation to establish Our Dementia Choir stems from caring for her grandmother and stems from a BBC documentary in 2019 that highlighted dementia care challenges. She remains convinced that music has transformative and healing power for people living with dementia, capable of uplifting mood and bringing joy.
The collaboration isn’t just about a single release. It’s about highlighting how communities can rally around those affected by dementia, using food, music, and shared humanity to foster connection. The Spud Bros continue to leverage their platform—and their beloved hometown club, Preston North End, is supporting them as front-of-shirt sponsors this season—to amplify the message.
If you’d like to explore more about how music can aid dementia care, or to hear the single Brighter Than The Night, you can tune in to BBC Radio Lancashire or follow BBC Lancashire on social media for updates and related stories.
