A WAR veteran is drumming up support for the elderly on a charity song set to storm the charts.
Derek D'Hooghe, 89, is playing drums on the track, See Yourself, which is raising money for a charity called Contact the Elderly.
It is being performed by 150 members of the Anchor Community Band, which is made up of residents of care homes run by Anchor in the UK.
A signaller in the Second World War, and a former professional drummer, Derek had to put down his rhythm sticks two years ago after suffering a brain haemorrhage.
He now lives at Annesley Lodge Care Home, in Hucknall, where he was invited to perform on the charity single.
"I love playing the drums and time doesn't make a difference," he said. "I can still play at the age of 89
"It's a really powerful song because the words are telling younger people we are exactly the same as them, but just a bit older. It's also very catchy."
His daughter, Sally Dury, said her father had a number of other instruments, such as shakers, triangles and tambourines, which he lent to others who played and sang along.
"He has never really stopped playing the drums.," she said.
"He played in Liverpool, whilst he was in the Army and then mainly in Nottingham – at the Palais de Danse, Victoria Ballroom and the Odeon – with the Rube Sunshine band.
"I am sure that he could have given Ringo Starr a run for his money in his heyday because hearing him play at nearly the age of 90, he still has the rhythm and passion in him."
Annesley Lodge manager Alice Thring said everyone involved was looking forward to adding their voice to the single. "Derek is so happy about performing on a record, especially as it's for a charity that helps other older people," she said.
"Derek and the other members of the Anchor Community Band have worked so hard.
"I hope the people of Nottingham will support them by downloading or buying the record when it is released later this year."
Contact the Elderly helps lonely elderly people maintain their social life, with volunteers hosting monthly Sunday tea parties.
Director Keith Arscott said: "Over the past four months, Anchor has been working tremendously hard with Contact the Elderly to get this innovative project off the ground.
"The money raised will be invaluable in helping us to extend our vital lifeline of friendship to more isolated older people.
"We are extremely grateful to Anchor and can't wait for the single to be released."
