Wishaw singer wards off the hospital blues

A professional singer is helping to keep frontline NHS workers at University Hospital Wishaw in high spirits as they listen in to live concerts from his garden.

Alan Walker, who sings with successful tribute group The Jersey Notes, streamed a performance for his neighbours and friends via Facebook Live not realising that hospital staff were also listening in.

Alan and his wife Julie have already been stuck at home in Berryhill Crescent for more than a fortnight with their three children: Sam, 14; Sonny, nine; and Millie, seven.

“Millie had chicken-pox before the lockdown started so we already had her at home, the next day we decided we would keep them all at home. So we’ve been self-isolating and homeschooling,” said Alan.

The 52-year-old dad has friends around the world who suggested he use his vocal talents to cheer them up via social media.

“I have pals in America, Australia, South Africa, all over the world and they were asking me,” Alan revealed. “I wasn’t sure about doing it at first because I felt like a bit of a prat singing to my phone, but I did the first one and it got a couple of thousand views.

“I actually quite enjoyed it and it kept me going, it’s sort of kept me sane.

“I thought, ‘let’s do one on Sunday out in the street for all the neighbours.’ Some of the neighbours had been tuning in through Facebook Live and telling me how much they enjoyed it.

“So I said they could all come out into their front gardens and that way we were all maintaining socialdistancing.

“That’s what we did on Sunday, I set up my PA system and the hospital staff could all hear it. I wasn’t thinking they would hear it, I should have because my house is right next to the hospital”.

Leanne Rankin, a staff nurse, was among those who heard Alan. She shot a video from a window at the hospital and posted it on Facebook.

She said: “Don’t know who this guy is as we face the back of his house but can someone tell him he’s keeping the Wishaw General staff spirits up. Oh and we love a sing song xx.”

As the concert continued, Leanne managed to track Alan down on Facebook.

She added: “Found him! Gone yersel Alan. What a different atmosphere at work listening to this.”

And it wasn’t just NHS staff who could hear Alan as he ran through a performance of classic favourites which included; UB40’s Red Red Wine and Elvis’ Suspicious Minds.

Pauline Shannan said: “I could hear this in Netherton – brilliant.”

Carrie Cullen was just as impressed, saying: “Amazing!! Berryhill Crescent cheering so many people up!! Go Alan!! Xx”

As well as being part of The Jersey Notes – a Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons tribute outfit – Alan also performs solo as Robbie Williams and George Michael.

He and his friend Mark Burns were already in the process of organising an all-day gig in September for frontline key workers and NHS staff at the Castlepark Venue, the old Blantyre Vics club.

Alan admitted: “We were already in the middle of doing that so the fact the nurses heard this on Sunday was brilliant.

“It was clear as a bell and a few of the staff from the hospital have already messaged me asking about tickets. Seven or eight acts have already agreed. I’ll be doing sets as Robbie Williams and George Michael.

“I’ll be performing in the garden again today (Wednesday) between 4pm and 5pm.

“The neighbours have been asking if I can do another on Saturday if the weather is nice, so I’ll probably do one then as well.”

Info on the September gig will be posted on The Jersey Notes Facebook pages.