Music is the key for fantastic fundraiser
FANTASTIC Macclesfield fundraiser John Jones this month celebrated two achievements – notching up an amazing £75,000 for East Cheshire Hospice and his 75th birthday.
John, who was awarded an MBE in 2012 for his services to charity, says its pure coincidence that he’s managed to raise £75,000 in his 75th year but is delighted with his total so far
He said: “I have to admit, I didn’t realise I’d raised that much but it’s great to mark my birthday in this way.
“I regard it as a privilege to be able to raise funds for the hospice and I’ve had some wonderful experiences playing at the hospice and meeting the patients there.”
To celebrate, John is learning some more recent pop tunes to add to his 40s/50s/60s repertoire.
“I get asked for all sorts of songs and it’s good to be able to play some of the more modern requests,” he said.
John has been raising funds for the charity since 1993 by playing his accordion in a variety of venues, including Macclesfield Hospital and the Grosvenor Shopping Centre.
He began his tuneful fundraising in 1991 for the scanner appeal at Macclesfield Hospital.
Self-taught John has shown he is no one hit wonder and to date has notched up more than £275,000 for a range of charities.
A former structural engineer with Manchester city council, John has no intention of letting the music fade and is looking forward to planning his annual East Cheshire Hospice fundraising concert with Stockport Accordion Orchestra at the Broken Cross Club on December 8, which he hopes will feature the former world champion accordion player and club president, Pearl FawcettAdriano, who has become a Macclesfield favourite. .