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Johny bo good with album cash
A MUSICAL pensioner who has been singing for more than 60 years has given Parkinson's disease sufferers a welcome boost from the sales of his CD.
Award-winning Johnny Larkin has handed over 1,000 to the Hartlepool and district branch of the Parkinson's Disease Society which was raised from sales of his album If Teardrops Were Pennies.
The 83-year-old, who calls himself a "teenage pensioner", released the album in memory of his late wife, Doris, who was diagnosed with the condition in 1982.
Doris died at the University Hospital of Hartlepool in 2002 aged 72.
The Caledonian Road resident has now handed over the cash to grateful members of the group, which formed in March this year.
Dad-of-three Johnny has been singing since 1948 and spent many years touring pubs and clubs across the region.
Johnny, whose son John Larkin designed the graphics, said: "I thought it was very important that any money raised from the CD was donated to the local branch of the Parkinson's society.
"When you raise money for national charities you don't always see how the money was spent. This way I can see the results of what I have raised and it is a great cause."
The money will be used to pay for day trips for members of the group.
The CD was recorded at Mirage Recording Studios, in Marske, east Cleveland, and over the years the former engineer has raised more than 2,000 for various charities.
The granddad-of-11 and great-grandfather-of-one added that he was pleased to raise money in memory of his wife.
His personal assistant Sylvia Bowron, 60, said: "It is amazing to see the generosity of people in this town and their support is much appreciated."
The CDs, which cost 5, were sold at pubs and social clubs.
Johnny featured in the Mail earlier this summer after picking up the North Star Country Music Award by the Country Routes Magazine.
Committee member of the charity, Alan Wilson, 74, from Seaton Carew, who was diagnosed with Parkinson's five years ago, said: "It is wonderful that Johnny has donated this money to our group and we are very grateful.
"Parkinson's disease is not something that is often in the public eye and it can affect anybody."
* Members of the Hartlepool and district branch of the Parkinson's Disease Society will be in Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, on Saturday, between 8.30am and 5pm.
Copies of the CD will be on sale and there will also be a tombola to raise funds for the group.
They meet every third Tuesday of the month at Holy Trinity Church and there is also a meeting on Tuesday, December 1, at Hartlepool Maritime Experience, between 2pm and 4pm.
For more information call secretary Judith Wilson on (01429) 296680.
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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