November 23, 2009 14:42

Gym Class Heroes' Travis McCoy to release charity song on World Aids Day

McCoy is an ambassador for the Staying Alive charity

Gym Class Heroes frontman Travis McCoy is to release a new song in aid of the Staying Alive foundation on World Aids Day (December 1).

McCoy is ambassador to the charity, which helps to promote awareness about and prevention of HIV and Aids among young people across the world. His song 'One At A Time' is released on iTunes on December 1, with all proceeds going to Staying Alive.

Speaking of his involvement in the project, he told NME.COM that the song was written about a recent trip he undertook to South Africa, India and the Philippines to meet Aids and HIV victims and carers.

"When it came down to writing the song I was just really introspective and looking back on some of the things that I learned," McCoy explained. "The trip was all in the span of about 11 days. Ten flights and three different countries. It was kind of a lot to take in in such a short amount of time, but it was so inspiring to meet all these people who are faced with so much adversity, but who overcome that and use what they've learned to help others."

McCoy added that the Staying Alive campaign represents something that means a lot to him on a personal level.

"One of the reasons [for becoming ambassador] was because when I was younger I had someone really close to me die from Aids. So if there was ever a charity that I wanted to invest the little bit of time that I do have off in it's definitely Staying Alive," he said.

MTV is screening a documentary about McCoy's trip titled 'Unbeaten Track' on December 1 in conjunction with 'One At A Time''s release.

"I feel strongly that there's power in numbers," McCoy said. "I'm just one person, but hopefully this song, the documentary and the website will be a conduit and show people that they can do just as much, if not more, than I did."

McCoy asked fans to see Staying-alive.org to find out what more they can do to support the charity.