Terry’s voice is helping to save lives

Online busking has paved the way for a Sprowston singer to raise more than £1,000 for the East Anglian Air Ambulance.

Terry Adams, who has been a professional singer for 15 years, started singing on the online platform Twitch during the 2020 lockdown and realised it could be a way to help charities.

“Twitch is used by gamers and musicians and people can watch you sing – it’s busking online,” said Terry, who usually entertains in care homes and at community events.

“You make your song lists and people request songs to sing. I thought: ‘Why can’t we do this in real life?’ and got started.”

He set up an online list of songs and now when he plays at venues people can scan a QR code at their table to choose their favourites.

“This then flashes up on my iPad on stage. I sing the song and they drop a couple of quid in the bucket.”

He started the charity evenings thanks to Leanne Burgess and Steve Carrigan at The Maids Head, in Old Catton, and in 10 weeks he has raised £1,100.

“Lots of friends donated as well but it did so well,” said Terry. “We were raising £60 or £70 a night.”

The money was accepted by Roy Swain, an EAAA volunteer, who said the amount raised had astounded his colleagues.

And he added: “It made my evening, and quite a few others will be very grateful as you’ve probably helped save their lives.”

Terry raised the spirits of his neighbours during lockdown by holding concerts in his garden and said he was keen to hold more charity events soon.

“I am thinking of carrying it on but it will be the same pool of people being asked to help so I might give it a bit of a gap,” he said.

“I’ve got to the stage when I am able to do it and I have loved doing it. I feel I have done something good, so it’s good all round!”