The first charity we have chosen to take donations in memory of Les is 'Live Music Now Scotland'.

'Live Music Now' works alongside those with reduced access to live music, in care homes, schools, hospitals, hospices and community settings, to help bring live music into spaces that would otherwise not be able to hear it.

Music was a central part of who Les was. His parents gave him a ukulele when he was a small child and his mother taught him how to harmonize. He had his first public performance at Woodford Playhouse when he was just 7 years old. Then later, during the Second World War, he used to take his ukulele to the air raid shelter with him to entertain people.

Over the years, music remained a massive part of Les’s life. He played the banjo and sang in various traditional jazz bands and spent many evenings playing gigs. For years, he kept a Musicians' Union ‘Keep Music Live’ sticker on the back of his car and he could talk for hours about a specific concert, song or trad jazz musician. He passed on a love of music to his daughters and grandchildren.

Although arthritis in his hands stopped him from playing banjo some years ago, he enjoyed going to live music events and took pleasure from the musicians coming into the care home where he lived for the last few months of his life. They really brightened up his days there.

This is why we have chosen 'Live Music Now Scotland' in his memory – a charity that recognises the importance of music, organises concerts for schools, hospitals and care homes, and that also mentors individuals to develop in their musical ability. Les always believed in the power of a simple tune to make connections and improve people’s lives, and that music and laughter makes the world a kinder and happier place.

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The second charity we have chosen is Age UK.

Les lost his wife, Hazel, in April 2025 when they were both 96 years old. After that, Age UK were brilliant in providing information and advice around care-at-home and care homes.

In addition to that, Age UK campaign for older people's rights, tackle inequalities, and offer befriending services that match up older and younger people for phone calls or face-to-face conversations, often over a cup of tea.

We have chosen Age UK in memory of Les as an appreciation of not only the information and help they provided Les and his family with over the last nine months, but also for their befriending services. Les loved talking to people and greatly appreciated the comfort and companionship he received from his nearby family members. Without nearby family, he would easily have recognized the importance of Age UK's befriending services for combatting loneliness in older people across the country.