LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan 19, 2026--
Simon and Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water has been voted as the UK’s number one #HopeHit ― as part of UK for UNHCR’s ‘Hope on Repeat’ campaign, raising awareness of the hardships facing refugees across the globe this winter.
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With 10% of the public vote, Bridge Over Troubled Water emerged as the UK’s most popular #HopeHit. Since November, the UN Refugee Agency’s national charity partner has invited people to nominate their #HopeHits - the tunes that connect us and warm our hearts as the weather gets cold. The top hit is announced today, Blue Monday, to help people get through the most depressing day of the year.
The 1970 chart topper held off stiff competition from Stand By Me by Ben E King with 5.7% of the vote and Imagine by John Lennon with 5.3%.
Hope on Repeat in support of refugees
UK for UNHCR’s winter campaign ― Hope on Repeat ― aims to highlight the experiences of refugees around the world, with a specific focus on families from Afghanistan, Syria and Ukraine who will spend the winter forcibly displaced from their homes.
Music is widely seen as a universal language and a sign of solidarity. UK for UNHCR has worked with Royal College of Music academic, Norbert Meyn, to explore how music drives connection and empathy ― while a UK for UNHCR survey* shows that 73% of us believe that music unites people.
Hope on Repeat guest, Bosnian public speaker and researcher, Smajo OBE, said, “ I was welcomed with open arms to the UK and Newcastle in 1994. At first, I felt out of place. But one song changed everything. My classmates and teacher sang it in Bosnian to make me feel at home. ”
The Hope on Repeat campaign also features a series of five podcasts hosted by British poet, Sophia Thakur, that share the incredible stories of people forced to flee their homes ― named The Guardian ’s podcast of the week. The Hope on Repeat podcast is available from www.unrefugees.org.uk/hope
Hope on Repeat guest, Ukrainian film director and producer, Mariia, said, “ No matter the language, music has the power to make people feel something. It conveys the basic emotions of humanity.”
Visit unrefugees.org.uk/hope to find out what Mariia and Smajo's Hope Hits are and the stories behind them, and how you can support refugees this winter.
Editors Notes
For the latest statistics and reports, please visit UNHCR’s Operational Data Portal here. https://data.unhcr.org/
The video is available here: https://youtu.be/rTKO7zmChE0
Winning song graphic – here
Refugee Storyteller images – here
Hero video footage - YouTube / MP4
1148 people voted for their Hope Hit between 10 November 2025 and 13 January 2026.
About the survey
The UK for UNHCR-commissioned Censuswide survey questioned over 2,000 people from across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales in November 2025. Responses form a snapshot of UK attitudes to music’s role in building better cultural understanding and strengthening communities in 2025.
About UK for UNHCR
UK for UNHCR is the UN Refugee Agency’s national charity partner for the UK. We build solidarity, create partnerships and raise funds across the UK to help deliver global humanitarian relief for refugees through UNHCR’s work. unrefugees.org.uk
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, leads international action to protect people forced to flee their homes because of conflict and persecution. It delivers lifesaving assistance like shelter, food and water, helps safeguard fundamental human rights and develops solutions that ensure people have a safe place to call home where they can build a better future. UNHCR also works to ensure that stateless people are granted a nationality. www.unhcr.org
UK for UNHCR is a registered charity in England and Wales (registered charity number 1183415).
Simon & Garfunkel's Bridge Over Troubled Water voted the UK's number one #HopeHit
CHICAGO & PITTSBURGH--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 18, 2026--
After a breakout debut that quickly became a summer sensation — drawing 85,000 fans in the stands and 8 million streaming live via the Fox Sports app and @INDYCARonFOX social platforms — Oscar Mayer is firing up the grills and revving up for the second annual Wienie 500. Returning Friday, May 22, all six Wienermobiles will haul buns to the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a high-stakes race to crown the Top Dog. The race kicks off summer, proving that even the most unexpected places — like a professional racetrack — are the perfect setting for an Oscar Mayer wiener. Now back for another lap, the Wienie 500 brings new competition, refreshed race-day livery, special guests and can’t-miss entertainment — all broadcast live on FOX.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260518955069/en/
Earlier this year, Oscar Mayer handed the keys to fans with its first-ever “Pick Your Dog” bracket, letting America decide who would claim the coveted sixth spot. The results? Corn Dog is officially in, bumping Sonoran Dog and joining Chi Dog (Midwest), New York Dog (East), Chili Dog (South), Seattle Dog (Northwest) and reigning champion Slaw Dog (Southeast) in a high-stakes race around the Brickyard to see who cuts the mustard. With a new contender in the mix, teams are hungrier than ever and ready to show off their well-cooked strategy to make it to the “Wieners Circle.”
All six Wienermobiles and racing suits will debut new colors, decals and designs, and for the first time in over a decade, the brand is dropping limited-edition Wiener Whistles to mark the occasion. And this year, Oscar Mayer is bringing serious horsepower: Nolan Siegel, Stingray Rob, Scott McLaughlin and fellow INDYCAR SERIES drivers will coach the Hotdoggers, offering pro-level racing tips as teams compete for the coveted Borg-Wiener Trophy. Together, it’s a one-of-a-kind delightful racing experience only Oscar Mayer can deliver.
Fans at home can get in on the bun-derful action by purchasing exclusive Wienie 500 merchandise at shop.ims.com and casting their vote for who will take Top Dog on Instacart — correct predictions will score free Oscar Mayer wieners while supplies last.
“Last year’s inaugural race proved the Wienie 500 is more than just a one-time spectacle, it’s a real race cemented in culture,” said Kelsey Rice, Brand Communications Director at Oscar Mayer. “This year, we are turbo-charging all race elements to give fans a fresh take on the disarmingly delightful experience they fell in love with year one. From ushering in Team Corn Dog to bringing in the pros, we are going all-in to encourage fans everywhere to pick up Oscar Mayer wieners, kick off summer and enjoy the ride with us.”
Race day coverage begins live on FOX and FOX One at 2:00pm ET on Friday, May 22. FOX INDYCAR play-by-play announcer Will Buxton again calls the race alongside FOX INDYCAR analysts Townsend Bell and James Hinchcliffe, with pit reporting by Georgia Henneberry and Kevin Lee. For more information on the meatiest race in motorsports, including how to purchase tickets, attend watch parties at Tom’s Watch Bar locations across the country and get in on other fan engagement opportunities, follow @OscarMayer, @Wienermobile, @IndianapolisMotorSpeedway and @IndyCarOnFox on Instagram and TikTok.
*To learn more about the Instacart promotion see official rulesHERE.
ABOUT THE KRAFT HEINZ COMPANY
Kraft Heinz (Nasdaq: KHC) is one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies, with approximately $25 billion in net sales in 2025 and a portfolio of iconic brands enjoyed by consumers in more than 40 countries. By investing in our capabilities and brands, including Heinz, Kraft, Philadelphia, Primal Kitchen, and Lunchables, we are unlocking the full power of our portfolio. We deliver high-quality, great-tasting, and affordable food for the consumers of today, while shaping the future of food. Learn more at www.kraftheinzcompany.com.
Oscar Mayer is firing up the grills and revving up for the second annual Wienie 500. Returning Friday, May 22, all six Wienermobiles will haul buns to the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway for a high-stakes race to crown the Top Dog.
