I have not had Covid 19. Doing my best to avoid it. I stay home apart from a daily cycle along the banks of the Mersey. But I am a father, a husband, a son, a brother, a teacher and a friend. I try to do what I want to do, and what I need to do – for my family, my friends, my colleagues and my students. But here, at my home, from my computer screen – which is now my classroom - and there, along the  river, I can only hope that those scary microbial dots, which have led to so much pain for so many, hang around in fewer numbers.

Not so for so many other husbands, wives, partners, fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers, sons and daughters, aunts and uncles. They too do what they want to, and what they need to do. But they do so in the knowledge that day on day, the work they have chosen brings them into so much more contact with this dangerous thing. Their vocation has thrust them into a face of a danger which they could never have thought of – and yet they do it. They do it with selfless humility, out of care and kindness, duty and love. They shy away from praise and just do what they need to do. A truly amazing thing. I have no words really.

So, what can I offer? Not much. But I try to write ‘OK’ songs. This is for them.

Oh - and a bit of music runs in the family. Look at my posts below, and you can see a link to my Dad's contribution. He's nearly 92, an ex-professional dance band musician. There he is: serenading people in his street, playing 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' and 'We'll Meet Again'  during 'Clap For Carers' April 23rd.

If you are able to do so, have a listen  and please give what you can to support these, our heroes. All funds raised will go towards the purchase of essential item packages for frontline staff. Please do leave your own personal message of support for our incredible NHS staff. Anything raised over and above what might be needed in the current crisis will go towards helping hospitals continue to give exceptional care in the future.