A MUSICAL duo from Renfrewshire have raised vital cash for a worthy cause by performing online requests.

Guitarist Gordon Kyle, from Houston, and singer Jacklyn MacInnes, of Renfrew, have raised well over £1,000 for the Beatson Cancer Charity through their popular performances on YouTube and Facebook.

Gordon owns Paisley opticians Miller and McClure, where Jacklyn is the clinical assistant.

The company has pledged to support the Beatson, which cared for Jacklyn’s husband Craig before he lost a brave battle against cancer two years ago.

Gordon told The Gazette: “We have run a few promotions in the practice to raise funds for the Beatson over the past year.

“During lockdown I made the difficult decision to put Jacklyn on furlough. She has always been someone who enjoys being busy and working hard in her routine.

“We decided to record some songs to keep us busy and raise much-needed funds for the Beatson.”

The duo recorded separate parts on their mobile phones at home and Gordon then edited the videos together.

He said: “We have loved doing these and have had many requests from those who have donated. They have been posted on our Facebook page and on YouTube.”

A future recording will feature their friend Amy Lewis, who plays the violin and works as a nurse at Paisley’s Royal Alexandra Hospital.

Another friend, policeman Bart Simonis, has also played piano on a couple of the tracks.

Gordon added that Charlene Low, a corporate partnership fundraiser at the Beatson, had been in touch to say that most of the charity’s events had been cancelled due to lockdown, so the musical sessions have provided welcome support.

You can make a donation online by visiting justgiving.com/fundraising/millerandmccluresessions.

Read all the latest from Renfrewshire and beyond

******************

Scotland is in lockdown. Shops are closing and newspaper sales are falling fast. We're not exaggerating when we say the future of local newspapers and the vital service we have provided for many years is under threat.

Please consider supporting The Gazette in whatever way you can - by paying just 90p for a copy of the newspaper when you're shopping for essential supplies for yourself and others or by subscribing to our e-edition here.