On 27 January 2020, my dear father-in-law, Bert, passed away in Southport Hospital after a short illness, but having suffered from dementia for several years. We were at his bedside every day during his hospitalisation, and were advised early on that he would not survive. We were offered palliative care.

Enter Queenscourt Hospice. They are well-known in the region for their exemplary hospice and cancer care, but we were unaware that they offered palliative care. They were fantastic, not just with Bert, but also with us: they insisted we have a break to eat and rest, whilst they took over at his bedside. You cannot put a value on such support at such at a time.

Enter lockdown. Musical ideas developed as the months went on. In December, when finally finding a break from the day job, I managed to spend quality time in my recording studio, which resulted in the self-penned album, Confusion Clear. It was completed and mastered during the first week of 2021 and, with the anniversary of Bert's death approaching, I had the idea of using its release to help the hospice, whose donations level had dropped by 68% in 2020.

The album is available from Weds 27 January 2021, and is streaming on all major platforms, such as Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and Tidal - search for 'Ian Cleverdon Confusion Clear' and you should find it. As streaming earns virtually nothing for musicians, but is the most common form of listening these days, I thought it would be good to encourage people to listen via streaming services and, if they like it, make a donation. CDs are also available via my website (www.karonasound.co.uk/music) and I will donate all profits from their sales to Queenscourt too. You can find out more information about the album on that page as well.

Here's an early comment on the album from a Southport resident, one of the first to buy the CD on pre-release:

'The CD is playing and the world is a '"beautiful and peaceful" place. A superb suite, so relaxing. Just what the doctor ordered. Excellent work. Thank you.'

Thanks for considering my request, for listening to the album, and for supporting a superb charity.