FORMER Forest Green defender Chris Todd has taken a novel approach to raising money this festive season... by releasing his own bid to have a Christmas number one,writes Michael Pearlman.

Now player-coach at Eastleigh, the Welshman has spent the last two years working on a Christmas song called Save Me with his brother-in-law Thomas Watson.

Todd was diagnosed with the disease five years ago and has worked tirelessly since to raise both funds and awareness.

All money raised from the single called Save Me will go to Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.

Chris said: “This is no ordinary charity single, it’s about cancer and the battle to survive.

“We hope this single will touch many who are facing the every day battle against cancer and we hope it could make a big difference.

“I played it to my mother and she was crying her eyes out.

“The reaction we have had from the family so far has been great. They have been impressed.”

“A lot of people do charity singles and they have become a bit of a gimmick, but we don’t want that. We wanted to do a proper job. We’re really happy with it and just want people to support it because it’s going to an amazing cause.”

Watch Chris in action in his video below