Thanks to you, QEHB Charity has been able to fund a music teacher for teenage and young adult cancer patients at the QE.

David Kearns, lead singer and guitarist of Brummie band ‘The Father Teds’, has been sprinkling musical magic by teaching cancer patients on the hospital’s Teenage Cancer Trust Young Person’s Unit (YPU) how to play guitar.

The music lover, who became a full-time musician aged 17, said: “Working with patients is great and really rewarding. For me, being able to play and experience music is a gift I’m incredibly grateful for, and passing that gift on is important.

“Every patient I work with makes such great progress and it’s wonderful to see their spirits lift as they realise what they have achieved.”

The guitar lessons take place once a week in the Eden Room at YPU every Tuesday, using musical instruments provided by QEHB Charity.

Chloe Heanue, an 18 year old patient on YPU, has been enjoying the lessons for two months.  She said: “Learning to play the guitar is something I’ve always wanted to do. Even though I’ve only learnt basics so far it’s already made a big difference.

“It gets me out of bed and helps take my mind off being in hospital. I really do enjoy learning to play.”

Rebecca Perkins, Teenage Cancer Trust Youth Support Co-ordinator at the QE, said: “The guitar lessons are a great addition to the ward and really help boost morale among patients.

“We’re very grateful to QEHB Charity for its continued support and thank everyone who has made a donation to support our young patients with cancer.”

To find out more about how the Charity supports patients, or to make a donation, please visit www.qehb.org or call 0121 371 4852.

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