Chesterfield student’s 12 days of singing for dementia charity

A DERBYSHIRE schoolboy has been singing in care homes across the region in the run up to Christmas to raise funds for a dementia charity.

Preston Bird, 14, who attends Brookfield Community School, in Chesterfield, has been singing 12 songs at 12 care homes on 12 days ahead of the festive holiday.

His latest visit was to Springbank House Care Home, Ashgate Road, where he performed Christmas hits from the likes of Michael Bublé, before taking requests from the elderly residents.

During the encore Preston channelled his inner-Elvis to perform several of The King of Rock and Roll’s classics before finishing with a singalong of Sweet Caroline.

Wendy Cole, 74, was among the residents who enjoyed Preston’s performance. She said: “He was really good for such a young lad. He really kept our attention and had a lovely way of talking to older people. He was great.”

Louise Spooner, regional manager for the Hill Care Group, which operates Springbank House Care Home, said: “The residents of Springbank really enjoyed the performance by Preston.

“We were very touched that he was raising money in this way for such a worthwhile cause, and in memory of his late grandma.”

Preston’s festive fundraising performance was inspired by his grandmother, who passed away earlier this year.

He said: “Early on in 2023, we unfortunately lost my grandma and I wasn’t able to sing those songs for her.

“So now I have decided to share the joy of my singing with as many care home residents as possible over a 12 day period – hence my title: 12 songs, 12 care homes, 12 days of Christmas.

“Please help me to raise my target and help support Dementia UK, in my grandma’s memory and in the memory of all those who are suffering with this illness.”

Preston has so far raised £1,845 for Dementia UK and is still taking donations via his Go Fund Me page: www.gofundme.com/f/the-12-care-homes-at-christmas.