Geoff is remembered through music as family and friends support hospice in his honour

A popular Leyland singer has left a powerful musical legacy – that has also raised vital funding for the charity which cared for him in his final months.

Songs recorded by Geoff Crowhurst and his band Gusto before he died on New Year’s Eve have proved a hit with all those who knew him.

Such has been the outpouring of emotion for 54-year-old Geoff that £3,200 has been raised for St Catherine’s Hospice, whose community nurses cared for him at home.

The band made a CD and all 100 copies were quickly snapped up with proceeds donated to the hospice.

A Facebook fundraising page raised a further £1,325. Its supporters included colleagues from the Department of Work and Pensions in Preston where Geoff worked, and his friends and family.

A song he wrote called Rocket Man was played at his funeral and can be heard on You Tube.

Another track Keep on Smiling was finished by band members, drummer Stephen Chippendale and fellow guitarists Mark Walton and Graham Baines.

Geoff had been too ill to join them in the studio so the lead singer’s voice was recorded at home and dubbed on.

Younger sister Nicky Henderson said: “Geoff was diagnosed with bowel cancer three years ago and the illness spread through his body, eventually reaching his brain and chest in October.

“He’d been in a band most of his life and Gusto, whose style is pop rock and popular music for youths, decided to make a CD of their unpublished music.

“That inspired him and his passion for music kept him going, giving him something to focus on.”

The family, including girlfriend Kelly Mills, son James , brother Paul and mum Barbara, were grateful to Clinical Nurse Specialists at St Catherine’s Hospice for the care provided.

Nicky, Foundation Programme Co-ordinator at Royal Preston Hospital, said: “The work the hospice does is unbelievable and we’re so lucky to have it. It’s so caring and such a necessity.

“Geoff died at home which is what he wanted and St Catherine’s took away our anxieties and were always honest with us. We’d also like to thank everyone for their generosity and that showed just how nice a guy he was. Everyone loved him.”

Hayley James, community engagement officer at the Lostock Hall hospice, said: “I’d like to say a very big thank you to everyone who has supported the fundraising efforts of Geoff’s family and band mates. They’ve raised an incredible amount for St Catherine’s in his memory, which will really help in our efforts to care for more local people facing life-shortening illnesses like cancer, motor neurone disease and heart failure.

“We simply wouldn’t be here without the continued, amazing support of our communities, so thank you to all for being there for us.”

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