Heartwarming Christmas Eve street sing-along for 86-year-old grandmother

Festive cheer was brought to the doorstep of an 86-year-old grandmother on Christmas Eve after almost a year of isolating during the coronavirus pandemic.
Margery Greener (right) with singer Michelle Newall who surprised her with some doorstep carols. Picture by Frank ReidMargery Greener (right) with singer Michelle Newall who surprised her with some doorstep carols. Picture by Frank Reid
Margery Greener (right) with singer Michelle Newall who surprised her with some doorstep carols. Picture by Frank Reid

Margery Greener hasn’t left her home since March when Covid hit the country and the most vulnerable were told to shield.

In an effort to protect her from the virus, the grandmother from Basingstoke Road in Peterlee has only seen her family through the window.

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After such a tough year, daughter Kirstie Malcolm 42, wanted to do something that would help to boost her mum’s spirits over Christmas and appealed to the community for help.

Margery Greener smiles as she listens to a surprise Carol singalong organised by her daughter Kristie Malcolm. Picture by Frank ReidMargery Greener smiles as she listens to a surprise Carol singalong organised by her daughter Kristie Malcolm. Picture by Frank Reid
Margery Greener smiles as she listens to a surprise Carol singalong organised by her daughter Kristie Malcolm. Picture by Frank Reid

Posting in Facebook group Peterlee Have Your Say, Kirsty asked if someone could sing to her mother and was overjoyed when care home worker Michelle Newell was quick to offer to help.

The pair arranged for Michelle to pay Margery a surprise visit on Christmas Eve to sing some songs from a safe distance on the street.

But after seeing her offer to sing Michelle was inundated with requests from others in the area asking if she would sing for their loved ones.

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Margery Greener (right) with singer Michelle Newall who surprised her with some doorstep carols. Picture by Frank ReidMargery Greener (right) with singer Michelle Newall who surprised her with some doorstep carols. Picture by Frank Reid
Margery Greener (right) with singer Michelle Newall who surprised her with some doorstep carols. Picture by Frank Reid
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Since then Michelle has spent the days running up to Christmas performing.

Michelle, 42, said: “Because I said I would do it for Kirsty’s mam I had everybody asking if I would do their gran or mam!

"So I have now done seven performances and plan to do some more on Boxing Day if I can keep hold of the speaker I have borrowed.

"It has been lovely seeing people come out into the street to join in.”

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Although not a professional singer, Michelle is used to performing for older people in her role co-ordinating entertainment for the residents of Jack Dormand care home.

She performed a 20 minute set of Christmas songs and Doris Day classics to the delight of Margery and her family who came to watch from the street.

Although she didn’t intend to fundraise from her performances at the insistence of the community Michelle is now collecting funds to support Emma Selby who is battling three brain tumours.

Mum-of-five Kirsty said: “My mam is 86 and has never been out this year, so this was a surprise for her.

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"I know Michelle from school and absolutely adore her, she just wants to make everyone happy.”

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