MUSIC mad Mike O’Halloran, from Orford, asked Dr Hilary to thank his wife Jane for ‘putting up with me all these weeks and listening to me every night’ when he was announced as the winner of the Everyday Hero award at the Guardian's Lockdown Heroes awards.
After his success was revealed by Jack Hughes, captain of Warrington Wolves, Mike said it was ‘great to win’.
Dr Hilary said: “I know in the past few months for some people music has been their only communication and you have assisted with that.
Mike said: “I have always liked music, much to the dismay of my wife sometimes, but during the lockdown we put a few shows on, Live from the Drive as it were, and we had a good time with it.
“We just love music and we had people from literally all over the world, from Goa, from Australia, the Philippines, it was amazing.
“Me being of a certain age, I love seventies and eighties music and I’m just music mad.”
Mike added: “I was listening to music anyway so why not share with people?
“It just escalated to the point where people were tuning in and requesting songs.
“Me and my two mates recorded a CD and we sold copies and raised money for the NHS.”
Mike received many nominations for the work he has done for the community over the past year.
One of those who nominated him was his daughter Vicki, who described her dad as ‘amazing’.
She said: “Since we went into lockdown the first time, he has been performing live on Facebook every weekend and some nights in the week playing music for people and singing.
“He has received so many messages explaining that this has been the only communication with people that some have had and how it has helped lift their spirits.”
Vicki’s sister Becki said that their dad ‘has definitely gone above and beyond to keep everyone upbeat’.
“Many people will agree he is a lockdown hero and we are all very proud of him,” she said, Dr Hilary added: “Many congratulations – it is certainly uplifting to listen to our favourite tunes.
“Keep up the great work.”
HIGHLY COMMENDED: Carl Woods
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