Bedford singer-songwriter Tom Grennan has lent his voice to a new RSPCA winter appeal, fronting an emotional campaign that highlights how rescue pets can transform lives.
The charity has released a new Christmas film, set to Tom’s single “You Are Not Alone,” starring a recently rescued dog and focusing on the bond between people and their animals.
Local dog lover
Grennan, who grew up in Bedford, has often spoken about how important animals are to his mental health. His rescue dog Marmite was found in a bin in Romania before being adopted into his family.
Read: Tom Grennan becomes ambassador for children’s mental health charity
He has previously said: “Marmite came into my life at the right point. He grounded me. I had another life in my house, and I was like, I cannot mess this up.
“Animals are good for the soul, they love you unconditionally, they will not judge you.”
He joked about how the bond with a dog creates balance. “They do not care if you are a singer. They look at you, and it’s like they’re sayin,g ‘You better walk me now and pick my sh*t up, and you better play with me.’”
Tom, who has had three UK number one albums, is a long-standing mental health advocate and says this campaign brings together those two passions.
“I am a passionate advocate for both mental well-being and animal welfare, so I am really pleased and proud to support the RSPCA’s Winter Appeal with my song You Are Not Alone. The connection between people and animals is special.
“Animals offer more than just companionship; they are a vital source of light in dark times, they ease loneliness and are a beautiful source of comfort for so many of us, which this film shows,” he said.
The 90-second film follows a man grieving the loss of his dog as he visits an RSPCA centre to donate his pet’s old toys. While there, he meets a rescue dog and the two form an instant connection.
The video was filmed at the RSPCA’s Brighton and Heart of Sussex branch and uses You Are Not Alone as its soundtrack, including the line: “A simple act of kindness can save somebody’s life.”
The collaboration launches as the RSPCA warns it is facing a tough winter, with a sharp rise in calls about animals being dumped or left in poor conditions.
Rescue dog Betty
One of the dogs rescued by the RSPCA in recent months, cocker spaniel Betty, also appears in the campaign.
Betty was found living outside in poor conditions in the Chesterfield area while her owner was on holiday. An RSPCA investigation revealed chronic ear infections and heavy matting that had caused painful skin lesions.
She was rehabilitated at the charity’s Chesterfield and North Derbyshire branch and has since been adopted by new owner Sara Howlett, who travelled more than 400 miles to meet her after seeing her online.
Sara said: “As soon as I saw her photo, it was literally love at first sight.
“She is just the sweetest dog. It is heartbreaking to think what she went through before, but now she is just so happy snuggled up on the sofa, as close to me as possible. I could not imagine life without Betty now… You are not alone when Betty is around.”
Betty was one of 26,167 animals rehomed by the RSPCA in 2024. The charity, which specialises in rescuing animals from cruelty and neglect, says demand for its services is rising fast.
Rising reports
Read: RSPCA helped over 300 abandoned animals in Bedfordshire last year
Reports of animals being abandoned have increased by 23 per cent in the first ten months of this year compared with the same period last year.
Over the same period, calls about neglect have risen by 30 per cent, with the RSPCA’s emergency line handling more than 73,000 cases up to the end of October.
RSPCA superintendent Simon Osborne said: “We want to get more animals like Betty away from situations of cruelty and neglect and into loving new homes.
“Tom Grennan’s You Are Not Alone is such a beautiful song, and the lyrics, and our new Christmas film, really highlight how people feel about animals, and the special, and often life-changing bond we can share with our pets.
“But we know not all animals are so lucky. Reports of abandonment are hitting their highest in six years, and neglect calls are soaring too, meaning RSPCA officers are needed responding to emergencies now more than ever.”
Tom added, “This winter, thousands of neglected and abandoned animals, like Betty, desperately need rescuing. By joining together to support the RSPCA, we can help save them.”
The Big Give Back to Animals campaign aims to raise funds so the RSPCA can rescue more animals from abandonment and neglect and find them permanent homes.
The charity says every donation will help its frontline teams respond to calls, investigate cruelty and support animals through rehabilitation and rehoming.
More information on The Big Give Back to Animals and how to donate is available on the RSPCA website.
Read: Fans, venues and local heroes shine in Bedford’s “love letter” to Tom Grennan
Tom Grennan will be back performing in Bedford in 2026, headlining TK Maxx presents Bedford Summer Sessions in Bedford Park on Saturday 4 July 2026. Ticket and event details can be found on the Bedford Summer Sessions website.
