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A twenty one year old singer who has been travelling around Nursing Homes during the Covid pandemic entertaining the residents has just sang at his 100th care home in Newry.
Andrew Mc Murdie was in Ardmaine Care Home yesterday, 29 June, for his 100th gig.
He was accompanied by Karen Powell Byrne and her mother Joy who thoroughly enjoyed joining in on the singing. Joy will celebrate her 60th wedding anniversary in August and Andrew is already planning to go along to join in the celebrations with some songs.
McMurdie's nanny died as a result of Covid and he himself lost his speech for a time as a result of the illness so he knows only too well the impact the illness had had on the community.
The Markethill singer has been travelling around Nursing Homes since April 2021, singing outside to the residents. He explains "So many memories I've really enjoyed everyone of them and I hope that you have enjoyed the videos that I shared from some of them. Never thought I'd reach 100 but I have, and I've made lovely friends along the way. Well done to all the amazing staff who have made me so welcome."
Many of the nursing home residents would suffer from dementia and as McMordie explains, music can most certainly help "Dementia is a cruel illness it robs people of their memories but unbelievable that music can spark joy laughter and song. I've saw this so many times these residents mean so much to someone like me who knows only too well about this cruel illness with the loss of my Nanny."
At a time when visitors to the homes were greatly restricted, the positive impact of the young singers gesture on the wellbeing of the residents cannot be underestimated.
Check out his Facebook page at www.facebook.com
Watch a clip of video from Ardmaine above or at https://fb.watch/dYy55B0EhK/
