Family’s tribute is charity single - The Worcester Observer

Family’s tribute is charity single

Worcester Editorial 22nd Apr, 2015 Updated: 19th Oct, 2016   0

A BATTENHALL family left devastated after the death of their loving husband and father will record a charity single in his memory.

Nigel Collinson passed away in January last year from oesophagus cancer, just two days after his 45th birthday and about 400 people paid their respects at his funeral.

Now, caring wife Tracey and sons Henry, 11, and seven-year-old Charlie hope to honour his memory and raise money and awareness for Cancer Research UK.

The idea to record a cover of ELO’s Mr Blue Sky came from Henry and Charlie themselves and mum Tracey told the Observer the song had become their family anthem.




A live band will play the the song at a charity ball, organised by Tracey, at the Guildhall this Saturday (April 25) at 7pm with a sit down meal and a raffle to raise cash for Cancer Research UK, St Richard’s Hospice and the Hughes Health Fund.

“We played it at parties, at birthdays, at the funeral, when the people came to take Nigel from the house after he died and at the church. It’s such an upbeat song it completely symbolises who he was,” Tracey said.


The idea of the charity single has touched the hearts of many at the boys’ school, Kings St Albans, with 200 children taking part in the recording which will take place in their music department.  Bellini Strings, choristers from Worcester Cathedral and musicians James Barratt, Tom Smith and Mike McGreal are all donating their time to record the song which will be poignantly released for Father’s Day (June 21).

Tracey and her family also hope HMV in Worcester will stock the CD and are optimistic the song may also be available to download.

She said: “Nigel was diagnosed on September 27 and he passed away peacefully in my arms at home with the boys on January 2 2014 just two days after his 45th birthday.

“He was an inspirational man who lived life to the full and is missed so very much by us all. We were very very lucky to have had him in our lives. He was one in a million.

“We chose these charities to support because St Richard’s were the ones that helped us get him home after he was diagnosed, Hughes Health Fund which Nigel started for a local boy who needed a wheelchair and Cancer Research for obvious reasons.

“Oesophagus cancer really needs highlighting It’s such a brutal horrible cancer and you never really hear about it but it is one of those types where when you start getting symptoms it’s already too late.

“So many people moan and groan but you just do not know what is round the corner. Nigel always saw the good in everything and the song really gets the point across.”

The CD will cost £5 with about £3.50 going to charity, the school will also be selling the track but a date has yet to be arranged.

Visit @MrBlueskyAppeal on Twitter or search for MrBlueSkyAppeal on Facebook for more information about the appeal.

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