In March 2017 Helen Walker passed away after a long fight with cancer. She was a unique and precious person, with a naughty, infectious sense of humour.

Singing was a huge part of her life and it was a joy to be able to hear her week after week as part of the choir in Down Cathedral. From where we sit in the cathedral we could see up to the choir and I miss her post-anthem glances and smiles, and sometimes an unexpected stick-out-your-tongue moment.

She loved the choir and the cathedral and that's why I'm raising money for the Down Cathedral Organ Restoration Appeal. The organ, acknowledged to be one of the finest in Ireland with its magnificent oak case, was built by William Hull in 1818, considerably altered by William Telford in 1854, rebuilt by Harrison & Harrison in 1912 and again by the same firm in 1966. The cathedral needs an eye-popping £125,000 to clean, repair and restore the organ to preserve this splendid instrument so that it may continue to give a wonderful musical experience in our historic Cathedral for generations to come.

Helen was a smart, funny, courageous woman and it's my privilege to honour to take part in Every Day in May in her memory.