THE WILDHEARTS frontman Ginger has issued the following Christmas message:

"2011 will be a year I'll never forget. Beginning the year by enduring a brief dance with budgetary disaster (The Frankenstein Effect, which will hopefully be put straight soon in 2012) the year continued into great disappointment as I left the MICHAEL MONROE BAND under circumstances beyond my control, and then seemed to hit a wall sometime in July when I seriously considered giving up the idea of making a living from music. It appeared time in my life to get a proper job.

On asking a very successful friend of mine in NYC (name withheld in order to save blushes) to look for employment for me he insisted that whatever I choose to do be sure it is something I would happily do for free. That, he told me, is the only way to truly succeed in anything. But what on earth would I do for free that would help feed my family?

My cynicism refused to believe that such mystic mumbo jumbo would help a family in the north of England and a musician all but convinced that he had failed. In fact the only thing I do for free is chat to supporters of my music online in a bid to rid myself of any lingering 'rock star' mystique and build a solid community of music lovers.

Lovely as they are, how the bloody hell are THEY going to help?

Cutting to the present day, with the success of the record breaking Pledge campaign and the love caked December tour this seems an appropriate point for me to take back any doubt in the power of a strong and loyal fanbase.

You have changed my predicament and given me hope for the future. You have improved my life in ways you may never fully comprehend. It's funny because I hear that I occasionally do a similar thing for some folk over at Formspring.

On evidence such as this I can only remain completely convinced that we are in this together. To help each other.

Have an amazing Xmas in the knowledge that you've all done something amazing this year. You all helped a man when he was down, really down. You turned someone's life around. The fact that it was someone you all share a musical fondness for, well, consider this a down payment for quality product, selfless service and a level of gratitude that I hope you are all lucky enough to feel yourselves.

As long as you are there then I'll be here. And THAT, my good friends, is a deal.

God bless you all. I fucking love you. True story."