Today is #MMAD4U, a day where musicians make a difference to young daydream believers

Today (December 1) is #MMAD4U, or Musicians Making a Difference Day.

UnLtd – the social purposes organisation connecting the music creative, marketing and media industries to charities helping children and young people at risk – is asking all these sectors to raise awareness of what MMAD does.

MMAD has a different approach to the wide range of charities who work with the 680,000 young Australians who suffer the consequences of abuse, neglect, grief, trauma, isolation, mental illness, injustice and homelessness.

MMAD uses music, dance and mentoring to inspire young people to make their lives remarkable again.

In 2015, it asked ten young folks in their program about the one thing that helped them turn their life around.

Back came the unanimous answer: having someone who truly believed in them.

In 2015, those ten created a national day called #MMD4U day so that every person would know there is someone who believes in them. It reaches 1.5 million Australians.

Over the years the campaign has attracted strong support from artists including, Shawn Mendes, 5 Seconds of Summer, Havana Brown, Ronan Keating, Empire of the Sun, Birds of Tokyo, DJ Tigerlily, Justice Crew, Tina Arena and The Presets, among others.

This year, Niall Horan, Dean Lewis, Billie Eilish, Bishop Briggs, Vera Blue, Youngbood, Tigerlily and The No Frills Twins give a shout out for the campaign and explain why music plays such an integral to their own lives and challenges.

To be part of #MMAD4U Day:

1. Take a photo with your #MMAD4U sign!!
2. Post it on social media
3. Tag someone you believe in with #MMAD4U

Today also marks the launch of the new single ‘Headstrong’.

Each year, ten young folks from MMAD’s Rising Stars Program are selected to collaborate with mentors from Universal Music Australia.

They write a song about the way they’ve worked their way through their problems.

All proceeds from downloads and other sales go to MMAD.

MMAD CEO and founder Dominic Brook says: “People underestimate the power of positive encouragement and the potential it has to transform a life.

“On Friday, December 1, reach out to that person in your life who may need to hear it.

“We are asking everyone to help raise awareness by posting an image with ‘#MMAD4U’ and tag them in your post because every young person deserves someone who believes in them and the opportunity to live their potential.”

CEO of UnLtd Chris Freel points out: “Dom and the MMAD team make a huge difference in young people’s lives every day.

“#MMAD4U day is your chance to make a difference and tell a young person close to you that you believe in them.

“This support and belief has a really positive influence so please get involved in #MMAD4U Day and play your part to help.”

According to Jane Manning. Director, World Wide Mind: “The MMAD participants are unique and beautiful souls.

“They’ve been through more than most but with the support of the MMAD program, the relationships between the team and their own innate strength are blossoming creatively, musically, and in life.

“Working with them to create the music video for ‘Headstrong’ was a joy.”