'It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas' as local singer performs for Elgin care home residents
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A BIG-HEARTED singer has given the gift of Christmas cheer to local elderly people through a series of mini concerts staged outside Elgin care homes.
Jason Porter (36), from Lhanbryde, who works for Arnold Clark Car and Van Rental on Elgin's Edgar Road, was in fine voice when he performed outside Anderson's Care Home, in Elgin, last Friday, December 18.
Jason, whose repertoire includes the songbook of Michael Bublé and big-band classics, set up a full PA system outside the home while residents looked on through the windows and clapped along from inside.
It was a joyful afternoon for the residents – who had received their first Covid-19 vaccine the previous day.
And it's been a busy festive period for the trained singer who also performed outside Abbeyside and Abbeyvale nursing homes and Grove Care Home.
Arnold Clark got behind their talented employee's heart-warming idea and a colleague, Craig Lamond, supported him in setting up equipment and filming.
Jason felt moved to lift spirits after a "tough year for care home residents". He said: "The residents would normally have lots of entertainment laid on at this time of year and I wanted to do something for these people in local care homes.
"I saw my own gran go into a care home and I know how much music can mean to older people.
"It's been brilliant. It's so nice to see the smiles from the windows.
"I had to take a minute to compose myself before the final song when the residents held up big thank-you signs from the windows."
Jason has travelled around Scotland performing at small theatres since studying music at age 21. He had a busy schedule performing at weddings, garden parties, tribute nights and race days before the pandemic brought such events to a stop.
Anderson's Care Home manager Kathy McGrath-Gunn said: "The whole performance was wonderful, very atmospheric, and it really lifted everyone, even though Jason was outside and the audience inside.
"The sad thing is that the residents are not allowed to sing along at the moment – but they did their best to make up for that through movement.
"The residents had their Covid-19 vaccine yesterday and it certainly hasn't deterred them from waving their arms about in enjoyment. They were full of life and were just going for it.
"It was really quite poignant when they held up their thank-you signs, waving them from the windows."
She added: "They've had a great experience thanks to Jason.
"We are very grateful to Jason and to Arnold Clark. It was an incredible gesture and has been a wonderful afternoon."
