Sons’ single hits grand total for charity - The Worcester Observer

Sons’ single hits grand total for charity

Worcester Editorial 20th Jun, 2015 Updated: 19th Oct, 2016   0

YOUNG sons of a man who died of oesophagus cancer have honoured his memory with a charity single that has raised £1,275 so far and is still selling.

Nigel Collinson, from Battenhall, died in January last year just three months after his diagnosis and his wife Tracey and two sons 11-year-old Henry and Charlie, aged seven, wanted to do something to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

The boys came up with the idea to record Mr Blue Sky, one of ELO’s hit songs and the CD went on sale on Friday (June 12).

The family and friends gathered at the boys school, Kings St Albans, where they created the single to sell it to the masses. They also held a bake sales and and released a downloadable version of the song, the funds raised from those are yet to be counted.




The song was played at Nigel’s funeral which saw about 400 people attend. Tracey said the song was like their family anthem and embodied the personality of her husband.

“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.”


Once word spread about the families tribute to Nigel people across the city got involved to support the Mr Blue Sky Appeal which has already raised more than £20,000 from a black tie event organised by Tracey.

About 200 children from Kings St Albans got involved with the recording and were joined Bellini Strings, choristers from Worcester Cathedral and musicians James Barratt, Tom Smith and Mike McGreal whose hearts were touched by the families story.

Tracey added: “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.

“Despite the drizzle we did do very well. More CDs are going from the school office and it’s hard to say how many we have sold until we have a count up. Friday afternoon saw us raise £1,275 from CDs alone and I haven’t even heard what the cake sales raised yet.

“There is plenty more to sell so we are busy busy busy.”

The CD’s costs £5 and can still be downloaded or bought from the school.

For more information on the Mr Blue Sky Appeal visit @MrBlueskyAppeal on Twitter or search for MrBlueSkyAppeal on Facebook.

Buy Photos

Buy photos online from the Worcester Observer newspaper.

Recruitment

Find a career you'll love with our free career finder website.

Online Editions

Catch up on your local news by reading our e-editions on the Worcester Observer.

Printing

We can provide all of your printing needs at competitive rates.