Hywel Dda Health Charities on Jef Luke’s CD

Ex-service man Jef Luke, 78, of Merlins Bridge, Haverfordwest, has created a tribute CD of his guitar music to raise money for Hywel Dda Health Charities.

Jef, who is now retired after spending 24 years in the Merchant Navy and Royal Navy, said he really enjoyed making the songs, despite sometimes being in pain because of his arthritis.

“I wanted to fundraise to say thank you to the fantastic surgeons and staff at Withybush Hospital who treated my partner Iris, when she had bowel cancer two years ago, and looked after her post-op,” he said. “We are both eternally grateful.

“So, I created the CD as a tribute to our NHS, an amateurish way to thank the consummate professionals in the NHS. Words are not enough.

“I have given the songs funny names to inject some humour into the project. The CD features me playing the guitar over a backing track of songs. I started at the beginning of 2021 after being inspired by Captain Sir Tom Moore.

“Also, a special thank you to the school nurse who gave me my first COVID-19 vaccine. She was a volunteer, a real heroine. When she found out I have a morbid fear of all things medical, she stayed with me for the whole 20 minutes I was there.”

Jef’s CD is titled ‘The Angels of the NHS’ and costs £5. Hywel Dda Health Charities can post one out if you contact them on Fundraising.HywelDda@wales.nhs.uk or they are available at Sycamore Store, Merlins Bridge or Computer Kingdom, Milford Haven.

Nicola Llewelyn, Head of Hywel Dda Health Charities, the official charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board, said they were grateful to Jef for his musical project.

“The support of our local communities enables us to provide services over and above what the NHS can provide in the three counties of Hywel Dda and we are extremely grateful for every donation we receive,” said Nicola.

For more details about the charity and how you can help support local NHS patients and staff, go to www.hywelddahealthcharities.org.uk