WATCHING 15 Oxford students sway and sing on the steps of the Radcliffe Camera to Shakira’s Hips Don’t Lie is not an everyday sight.

But student a cappella group Out of the Blue – who made it to the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent in 2011 – are set to raise smiles as well as money with their charity music video.

Their version of the Colombian singer’s 2005 hit song was released at the weekend to raise money for East Oxford hospice Helen & Douglas House.

St Anne’s College student Ollie Nicholls is one of the three soloists on the track, showcasing his impressive high-pitched voice.

He said: “For people who don’t know what we do, we’re a bunch of posh Oxford students in suits, so we wanted to do something a bit unexpected and fun.”

The 19-year-old English student said: “It was really, really fun filming the video.

“We had loads of tourists filming us on their cameras, which was weird.”

The music video already has more than 2,500 views on YouTube, and the song is on sale at online music store Band Camp, where people can name their own price, with all of the money going to Helen & Douglas House.

Fellow group member Marco Alessi said: “For the last eight years we have had a really close rapport with Helen & Douglas House.”

The group have already raised more than £35,000 for the hospice, which cares for children across Oxfordshire with life-shortening illnesses.

The 20-year-old Lincoln College student said: “We have left the price open for the single, so people can give what they want. Normally we charge £1 for a song and £10 for an album, but so far the average people have donated is £6.

“It’s really hard to tell how this will take off, but if we could make £1,000 that would be incredible.”

Clare Edwards, deputy CEO of Helen & Douglas House, said: “We are continually amazed and appreciative of Out of the Blue’s support.

“This single is fun, clever and upbeat – like the group – and we hope people will download it and enjoy not only the great music, but knowing that they are helping us provide care for children, young adults and their families.”

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