Wigan teacher hits right notes as he gets back on garage roof to sing for NHS charity

A teacher kept his promise to entertain his neighbours and fans around the world by performing a second rooftop gig during the lockdown.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Matt Ashton climbed onto his garage in Aspull to sing last Friday, following the success of a similar show last month.

He was watched by people living nearby, as well as an audience around the world as the performance was streamed live on Facebook.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Matt, who teaches drama at The Westleigh School, wore a T-shirt paying tribute to the NHS and key workers during the Covid-19 crisis.

Matt AshtonMatt Ashton
Matt Ashton

And more than £1,600 has been donated to NHS Charities Together by people who enjoyed the show.

Matt has worked as a singer since 2002, initially in pantomimes and musical theatre before moving into pubs and clubs, corporate functions and recently weddings, parties and other celebrations.

He performed on the roof on April 1 and was watched by more than 20,000 online, sparking demands for more.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Donations to Matt’s appeal for NHS Charities Together can be made hereA message from the Editorial Director, Gillian Parkinson:

Thank you for reading this story on our website.

But I also have an urgent plea to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality local news on this free-to-read site and in print, please purchase a copy of our newspaper as well.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on our town centres and many of our valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you buying a copy when you pop out for your essential shop or subscribing for delivery.

Our journalists are highly trained by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards anywhere in the world. Our content is universally trusted - as all independent research proves.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

As Baroness Barran said in a House of Lords debate this week on the importance of journalists: "Not only are they a trusted source of facts, but they will have a role to play in rallying communities and getting the message across about how we can keep ourselves and our families safe, and protect our NHS. Undoubtedly, they have a critical role."

But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis. In return we will continue to forensically cover the local news - not only the impact of the virus but all the positive and uplifting news happening in these dark days.

We thank all our readers and advertisers for their understanding and support - and we wish YOU all the best in the coming weeks. Keep safe, and follow the Government advice. Thank you.

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE:

You can subscribe for delivery by contacting us at [email protected] or calling us on 0330 4033004 for details of a participating newsagent near you.

Related topics: