Kempston singer raises money for care home staff and charities during lockdown

A singer from Kempston has raised hundreds for care home staff and charities during lockdown.

Dean Goodman, who lives near Baycroft Kempston, spent his lockdown singing on the streets in Kempston to raise money and lift people's spirits.

He said: "I was out of work during lockdown and I've recently moved to the area, so decided to do something to entertain people.

"In May, I decided to go out and set up on the street and start singing, and people really enjoyed it, so I kept doing it.

"It was opposite the care home so I decided to raise money for the staff there while I was singing, so I sent a bucket round.

"I started doing it every week and it was spontaneous really, I also raised money for Autism Bedfordshire and Help For Heroes.

"It has been great for the community, everyone has come to watch, and the care home say you can hear it from inside, everyone has really enjoyed it."

The care home specialise in residential, dementia and nursing care needs.

Laura Baker, customer relations manager at Baycroft Kempston, said: "We recently had a local singer who raised money for our staff welfare during the pandemic.

"He did his last show at the weekend and raised another £150 on top of the £200 he had already raised in his first week.

"He lives nearby and invited the residents to come outside the care home to listen to him sing, and they loved it.

"It's been hard for the residents during lockdown, so it was lovely that they were able to enjoy it.

"It was really nice for Dean to come and sing, we have only been open a few months and it's great to see the support from the local community. We delivered him a Hamper to say thank you.

"Not only has Dean raised money for our staff and dedicated one of his performances to our 93 year old resident who had a birthday throughout lockdown, he has raised money for several other charities in Bedfordshire as well."