A local dementia patient from Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust’s Liveability Service is releasing a special charity single to help raise money and awareness for the Alzheimer’s Society.

Paul Hitchmough, a 62 year old man from Liverpool, has written and recorded the song about his own personal battle with dementia, with support from other patients from Liverpool Community Health’s award-winning Liveability Service for older people.

Paul, who is a retired taxi company owner and musician from Speke, decided to write and record the song following his diagnosis with dementia earlier this year, in order to help raise greater awareness of the condition.

Patients, staff members and volunteers from the Liveability Service all joined together to take part in recording the single at Cross Town Studios, providing backing vocals for Paul’s song entitled “The Same Man” earlier this month.

The resulting track will be released as a charity single which will be launched and sold on 5th December at the Annual Liveability Christmas Party for patients, carers and members of the local community.

The song will also be available to buy on CD in exchange for a £3 donation to the charity. Anyone wishing to get their hands on a copy can order one by emailing: mirpdanio@blueyonder.co.uk.

All proceeds from the single sales will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Society.

The single is also being supported by Mersey Care’s Post Diagnostic Support Group, and by a local film production company Zut Media who have produced a supporting music video to coincide with the release which is available for viewing at: http://youtu.be/sTQzcj9gj9g

Paul Hitchmough said of the experience of recording his song:

“I wrote this song having been inspired by my own personal experiences of being diagnosed with dementia. I really wanted to raise greater awareness of the illness, and support more research into treatment of the condition too.”

“I have been really touched by the response to my single so far, and hope that many more people will get behind the single. I also really hope that my lyrics will resonate with people and that people will be moved by the message behind the song, which is that despite my condition, I am still the same man.”

Diane Singleton, Older People’s Lead Nurse for Liverpool Community Health NHS Trust added:

“As a Trust, we are really proud of Paul and we really want to support the important message behind his song. Our Liveability Team supports many older people from across Liverpool with conditions such as dementia, and we often see first-hand the impact that illnesses like this can have on people’s lives.

“We want the single to be a huge success, and really hope the people of Liverpool take the message to their hearts and help us to reach Paul’s target of raising at least £2000 for Alzheimer’s Society.”

You can also get behind the campaign by visiting Paul’s JustGiving page and donating online at: https://www.justgiving.com/Paul-Hitchmough

For further information about this service, please contact the Liveability Team on: 0151 234 1660 or email: liveability.service@liverpoolch.nhs.uk.