A 24hr sing song in aid of our NHS
Jon’s‘golden memories’
An East Kilbride musician raised over £1600 for NHS charities by singing his heart out for 24 hours.
Jon Gerrard from The Murray usually takes his ‘Golden Memories’ show all over central Scotland.
He sings alongside a video and lyrics in care homes in East Kilbride and the surrounding area and plays in supported accommodation for adults with learning difficulties in nearby Cambuslang.
Jon (pictured) also plays bars and clubs in and around South Lanarkshire including Legends and The Whitehills Farm with music from the 60s right up to the modern day.
But with the country in lockdown and unable to perform, he decided to take to Facebook to entertain while doing good for a worthwhile cause.
He told the News: “I have been involved with music since I was 13 and always been in bands.
“I absolutely love my job as working in the care home setting you really feel like you are making a difference and I am missing being able to get out there.
“But these are incredible times and the main thing is that everyone stays safe.
“Everyone in the care sector and the NHS is doing an incredible job and I just wanted to do something to help, anything really.”
Jon went on: “I then just happened on the idea of singing on Facebook live for 24 hours and it just took off.
“Folk really got behind me and I am delighted that I have raised as much as I have .
“To be honest I was exhausted, I have never done a 24 hour stint funnily enough and there were a few points I thought what have I done.
“I started off thinking I will pace myself and not give my full voice, but inevitably I started getting in to and enjoying myself and I went for it.”
But thankfully adrenaline kicked in and Jon was able to complete the mammoth 24 hour gig from a Saturday into Sunday.
“I was able to give it one final push and my voice held out,” he added.
“It was well worthwhile but would I sing live for 24 hours again – probably not.
“I thought if I raised around £1000 I would be doing really well so I need to thank everyone who donated. It will make a real difference.