Darius hits a high note at concert date
Pop star drops by to share music joy with special youngsters... and
POP star Darius Campbell returned to his home town this week to meet a group of young people whose lives have been transformed by music.
The Pop Idol finalist, who went on to star in London’s West End, made a special appearance on stage at Sense Scotland’s Christmas concert.
And on a tour of the charity’s music project, he revealed he was full of admiration for services like Sense Scotland because his own uncle had a disability.
“My uncle Ali is disabled and from a young age I have been in awe of the support he’s been given by the services he uses,” said the 38-year-old.
“Good care can really transform lives – and I can see that’s what Sense Scotland does here.”
Darius sang three Christmas numbers and had a dance with some of the audience members, to much delight, at the Christmas celebration.
He was shown round the music rooms at TouchBase Glasgow by The Bluebells musician David McCluskey, lead artist for Sense Scotland.
“Dave is a legend,” said Darius. “He brings a unique energy to every interaction. It was great to meet him and the people the charity supports.”
Darius met Peter Sproul, 24, from Springburn, who suffers from Landau Kleffner Syndrome – a rare form of epilepsy, which affects one in a million people.
Peter lost the power of speech when he was two and suffered from severe epileptic fits. Gradually his speech returned when he was six.
Now Peter sings with The TouchBeats, a band of artists supported by Sense Scotland. For a man who has never been comfortable working in groups, said his mum, Jan, it is a remarkable achievement.
Jan explained: “When Peter came here seven years ago he wasn’t for going anywhere near the band.
“But they did a lot of one-toone work and he was taught how to play the bass guitar, although he prefers singing now.”
She smiled: “I remember the first time I saw Peter perform. Today, I was thinking – wow, how far has he come?”
Sense Scotland was set up in 1985 by a small group of families pressing for services for their children, who had been affected by deafblindness, many because of maternal rubella.
Since then, the organisation has grown into a nationally respected and successful organisation supporting thousands of disabled people and their families, in thousands of projects and services, throughout Scotland.
Darius took time out of a busy schedule to perform at Sense Scotland, as 2019 is already shaping up to be hectic for the singer.
“I’m busy working on another film producing project, a music project and doing some work with the UN’s sustainable development goals to bring water to the areas which need it most,” he explained.
“It was great to be here today – what a fantastic atmosphere.”
Many disabled children, young people and adults are involved with Sense Scotland’s musical activities, allowing them to communicate, be creative and expressive.
The Christmas concert is an annual event which allows them to showcase their talent to staff, families and the general public.
“It is amazing how we can use music to stimulate the senses,” added Darius.
“Sound and the vibrations can bring a smile to someone’s face.
“It can be a simple joy, but such a profound one.”