A Wigan musician hit all the right notes in support of a bereaved son's charity appeal
A Wigan musician and his friends raised more than £1,500 in memory of a heroic dad.
Lawrence Hoy was contacted by family friend Gabe Fell to ask if he could help raise money for a good cause.
Gabe, 30, from Standish, was planning to run the London marathon just a day after what would have been his dad David Fell’s 60th birthday.
Mr Fell died in July 2021 after trying to help two of his children when they got into difficulty in the water at Reighton Gap beach, near Filey in North Yorkshire.
His son was raising money for York and Scarborough Hospitals Charity, in tribute to his dad and in recognition of the care given to his sister after the incident.
Lawrence, from Springfield, was friends with Mr Fell and taught Gabe and his brother when they were pupils at Sacred Heart Primary School.
He said: “We were heartbroken when we heard about David. He was a lovely chap. I loved him to bits and he was a good friend.
"He was given the Carnegie bravery medal in October 2024. His wife Fiona asked me to sing for them, so I was honoured to go to Wigan Rugby Union Club to sing when they were presenting the family with the medal.
"When Gabe decided to do the London marathon for his dad’s 60th, they contacted me to ask if I could do anything. They knew I had been doing some busking with friends to raise money for The Brick and cancer treatment and things like that.”
Lawrence had a gig booked at The Bowling Green pub, on Wigan Lane, and asked if he could turn it into a fund-raising event.
He invited other singers and musicians to go along to perform throughout the day, held an auction and raffle, and collected donations.
A few days later, Lawrence and five fellow buskers performed outside Gidlow Plaice chippy to raise more money, with Gabe’s children, nieces and nephews watching as they tucked into a picnic.
Lawrence raised a total of £1,521.99, which was added to Gabe’s fund-raising appeal.
Gabe completed the London marathon – despite breaking his leg during the race – and raised more than £4,600 in memory of his dad.
Donations can still be made at 2026tcslondonmarathon.enthuse.com/pf/gabriel-fell.