'Elton Dave' sings Your Song in fun cartoon created by Daventry steam engine makers for charity

A Daventry steam engine company has created its own version of Elton John's Your Song to raise money for the NHS and Prostate Cancer UK.

Steam Traction World made the cartoon video of 'Elton Dave' singing about coronavirus and engine kits to say 'thank you' to all of its customers.

The Royal Oak Industrial Estate firm has been making a spoof video for Christmas for the last nine years but this is the first time they have done it for charity.

Owner Dean Rogers said: "The response so far has been 100 per cent positive which is new as you often get some people saying it's not very good.

"It's obviously not what we do and it's not Pixar so you can get people having a moan but this year it's completely different - everyone has been positive everywhere we look."

The tradition started as a homemade version of the John Lewis Christmas advert with the Steam Traction World writing and producing the video with no budget.

This year they considered not doing it after the traumatic events of 2020 - Covid-19 cancelled all of the events the Alvin Way firm relies on to sell its engine kits.

But the team felt compelled to go ahead after positive feedback on social media from people expecting another video to cheer them up and as a tribute to the firm's late co-founder.

Prostate Cancer UK was chosen as Steve Baldock died of the disease a few years ago while the NHS was an obvious choice because of the pandemic.

For every like and share on the Facebook post, Steam Traction World will donate £1, with a JustGiving page set up for anyone who wants to donate themselves.

Dean said: "The steam community is quite enthusiastic for supporting each other so we're hopeful of raising a good amount and just hoping it keeps building."

'Dave N'Try' was brought back from last year's video to star in the 2020 edition as 'Elton Dave' behind a piano singing Your Song.

Playful graphics poking fun at this year's events and celebrating its heroes float across the screen while the character stops singing to put on his mask and de-mist his glasses.

Dean said: "It's a bit of a departure from what we do - heavy engineering with steam engines - but we like to give back to our customers at Christmas.

"We change the words to suit what's happened this year and hopefully it puts a smile on people's faces."

To 'like' or 'share' Steam Traction World's Facebook post, visit facebook.com/SteamTractionWorld and to donate, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/steamtractionworld.