My wife, mum and sister are nurses. Not signing up for Edith’s fundraiser was not an option
Stars come out to protect health service heroes – Sam McTrusty of Twin Atlantic
As the singer with one of Scotland’s biggest bands, Sam McTrusty is used to the acclaim of fans.
But the Twin Atlantic front man says it’s his NHS family members who deserve the real praise.
The singer’s wife, mum and younger sister are all nurses and he is all too aware of what the country’s medical staff have been facing in recent weeks.
That’s why he had no hesitation in agreeing to be part of a live fundraiser this week that will aim to provide more Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for frontline workers.
The livestream, organised by broadcaster Edith Bowman and in aid of Masks For Scotland, features some of the biggest names in Scottish entertainment, including actors James McAvoy, Peter Capaldi, Jack Lowden, Martin Compston and Peter Mullan, alongside singer KT Tunstall and author Ian Rankin.
“My mum has been working with the NHS for more than 25 years. She’s one of the bed managers at the Queen Elizabeth in Glasgow, so has a key role there in terms of managing the amount of people in the hospital,” explained Sam, who was in the middle of a UK tour with his band when coronavirus struck.
“My younger sister and my wife are both third year nursing students who decided to opt in to the new programme where they can finish their qualifications on the ward.
“My wife was due on maternity leave until July but has cut it short.
She’s at the Queen Elizabeth, while my sister is at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.
“Anyone who knows one will understand a certain attitude is required to be a nurse in the first place, so none of them is coming home and complaining that their day was tough. They have this willpower to always put other people’s needs before their own.”
On Wednesday’s broadcast, which will stream across Gigs In Scotland’s social media pages, Sam plans to perform three cover songs that are special to his wife, mum and sister.
It will be part of a three-hour broadcast that promises an evening of music, literature, poetry and chat, as well as stories from the public about the incredible community spirit seen across Scotland during the lockdown.
Sam added: “I’ve known Edith for years and she’s always been supportive of Scottish artists.
“When I saw the lineup I thought it was great. It’s a nobrainer to help in any way possible.”
The Masks For Scotland crowdfunding initiative was founded by Professor Jill Belch of the University of Dundee, in response to the urgent need for personal protective equipment for community frontline medical teams. With more than £60,000 of the £200,000 target reached within a week, the first orders of PPE purchased by the appeal have already started to arrive in Scotland.
Edith said: “I wanted to create this event as a way of saying thank you to all those selfless people putting themselves in danger to help others.”
For The Love Of Scotland, Gigs In Scotland, YouTube and Facebook channels, Wednesday, 6-9pm