Peterborough singer hits all the right notes to raise more than £1,300 for Thorpe Hall Hospice

Johnny Quinn, 38, from Peterborough, was inspired to support Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice after staff cared for his mother-in-law, Penny Pilgrem, in 2016.

When the Coronavirus pandemic first struck in 2020, father-of-two Johnny wanted to help the hospice he holds “dear to his heart”.

He came up with the idea of live streaming several acoustic sessions on Facebook during the first lockdown, with viewers making donations online as he performed a variety of songs from his home.

Johnny then reprised his virtual fundraiser in December to do a special Christmas set.

In total, he has raised an impressive £1,342.50 for Sue Ryder.

“My mother-in-law Penny lost her battle with cancer five years ago,” said Johnny. “She spent her last couple of weeks at Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice before she passed away and they made her time there a memorable one. She felt so comfortable. The care was truly incredible and very personal.

“The nurses were not just there to ‘do a job’, you could tell they put every bit of themselves into caring for their patients and making sure every need and wish was met.

“I wanted to support Sue Ryder in Penny’s memory. I hope it helps the hospice to continue doing the fantastic work they do and support those who need it. Thank you to everyone who has supported me by watching the live streams and donating money.

“Penny was a selfless, generous, beautiful person who lived her life for her family. I am and always will be so proud I got to spend the years I did with her, and see her wonderful nature in both of my children. I know she would be incredibly proud I have done this for the charity.”

Maxine Harper-Woods, Community Fundraiser at Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice, said: “Thank you so much to Johnny for his innovative fundraising in Penny’s memory; we really loved his creative acoustic sets that kept us all entertained during lockdown. The fantastic funds you have raised for our hospice will help us to continue to provide our compassionate palliative care and support, and be there when it matters for local people and their loved ones.”

The funds raised could not come at a more crucial time for Sue Ryder, after it was forced to launch a second urgent fundraising campaign in response to the devastating impact the pandemic is having on its funding. Fundraising events remain cancelled and Sue Ryder’s charity shops are closed once again.

For more information and to donate to the urgent fundraising campaign visit www.sueryder.org/winterappeal20You can follow Johnny on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JohnnyQuinnMusic and on Instagram: www.instagram.com/johnnyquinnmusic