Jason Manford serenades 80-year-old neighbour on her birthday and sparks huge singalong in her street
BIG-hearted Jason Manford sparked a singalong on a residential street as an 80th birthday present for an elderly neighbour.
The comedian, who lives nearby in Stockport, Greater Manchester, introduced himself to pensioner Avrill Hill outside her home, where she is isolating alone, and belted out On The Street Where You Live from My Fair Lady before leading a rendition of Happy Birthday.
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He was contacted by Avrill’s daughter Jo Hoddes, via mutual pals, to see if he would take part in the planned singalong at 11am on Wednesday.
Her elderly mother, whose husband recently passed away, is a big fan of Jason, who recently finished runner-up on hit ITV series The Masked Singer.
Avrill’s grandson Max Tweeted: “She’s been isolating on her own the past seven weeks so the only contact she’s had has been through the porch window.
“Entire street came out to sing her Happy Birthday and Jason Manford took time out of his day to say hello and sing her a quick song, class.”
Jason has been doing his bit for the community during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As well as doing volunteer driving, he also applied for a job at Tesco during the country’s panic buying phase to help weary shop staff.
His application was turned down by the supermarket chain, but rival Iceland have signed him up, offering to give his wages to his chosen charity, Caft.
CAFT – the Children’s Adventure Farm Trust – provides holidays and day visits to ill, disabled and disadvantaged children from the North West of England.
Jason originally applied for a job at a Tesco Express in Wilmslow, Cheshire, saying he wanted to “do my bit” for society after his theatre shows were cancelled.
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But the supermarket sent him an email saying the job of customer assistant was “now closed”, thanking him for applying during “these unprecedented times”.
Jason is also ferrying OAPs to medical appointments and posted a picture of his “volunteer driver” badge – as a man posted a shot of him turning up to collect an OAP who lived next door.
They tweeted: “When Jason Manford turns up to pick up your elderly neighbour for her appointment #hero.”
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