An "incredible" 86-year-old musician will be drumming up support for an invaluable borough cause once again next month.
Duncan Lees has been drumming for 65 years and was inspired to complete his first "drumathon" in 2021 after watching the exploits of Captain Sir Tom Moore during the pandemic, who raised millions of pounds for the NHS.
And for his latest challenge, Duncan will be performing alongside several other artists including Tenor Ladies, The Dodgers and the Bury Ukulele Band at The Jubilee Centre on Mosley Avenue in Bury, on Saturday, October 12.
He will drum along to a track for every year of his life across five consecutive hours, hoping to raise money to renovate The Jubilee Centre, where charity Age UK is based, so that organisers can host activities such as line dancing and yoga.
Duncan said: “The drumathon will be a challenge but I know receiving support from everyone will be amazing, which also includes the mayor and mayoress who will be joining me to start the drumathon at 11am."
He previously told the Bury Times that he picked up his skill for drumming during his national service in Hong Kong, where he played in a skiffle band in the Green Howards Regiment.
Duncan continued to drum in the 1960s playing in his band, The Talisman and Clockwork Orange, both based in the North East.
He also previously took part in BBC Children in Need’s drumathon alongside North West Tonight’s former weather presenter Owain Wyn Evans.
But the prolific drumathon-er is expecting to take a few years away from the stage saying: “If I reach the grand ole age of 90, I may consider doing another one!”
CEO of Age UK Bury, Ania Stark-Ketcher, said: “Duncan is a valued member of the public and is an incredible man for his age.
“He supports the centre daily and contributes to finding special music artists to perform at the Jubilee Centre, every penny made or donated goes to Age UK Bury and stays in Bury supporting people 50 -plus.”
“We are currently seeking funds to renovate the premises in order to enhance the activities that we provide at the centre, from line dancing, yoga, afternoon tea dances and many more.”
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