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Nairn musical man raises funds for the MS Society Scotland to tune of £10k


By Donald Wilson

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Nairn musician and songwriter Dave Godden. Picture: Gary Anthony
Nairn musician and songwriter Dave Godden. Picture: Gary Anthony

A retired medical researcher’s fundraising efforts have passed the £10,000 mark.

Nairn’s Dave Godden has harnessed his love of music to raise funds for the MS Society Scotland over the past three years, and his latest album helped push the total to new heights.

The 67-year-old retired early from his job at Raigmore Hospital because he has multiple sclerosis.

He staged a concert with friends from the traditional music scene at Nairn Community and Arts Centre on December 1, 2018 to launch his first solo album Life Stories.

“It was a very exciting week for me,” said Dave, who is a songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.

“When I held my first concert, I couldn’t have dreamed of the album being such a success. We raised over £3000 that night, and in 2019 I held concerts in Nairn for the Book and Arts Festival and at the Pleasance Theatre at Edinburgh University where I studied medicine.”

Mr Godden, who also became an author in his retirement and wrote a novel called The Cure – a fictional tale embracing his knowledge of medical research and the condition he was first diagnosed with in 2005 – went on to produce his second album, Through the Window, during the pandemic.

“It too has received a fantastic response,” he said.

“It was all produced online under Covid restrictions, and I also did an online concert with all the proceeds going to MS Society Scotland.

“I got a lot of support from my friends and members of Ardersier Folk Club. We can’t wait for restrictions to be lifted so we can begin meeting again when it’s safe to do so.”

Mr Godden said he experienced symptoms of MS for about 10 years before he was diagnosed.

“It’s been a slow progression, thankfully, and I’m still able to enjoy my music, but I’m unable to play the whistle now,” he said.

“I’ll continue to raise money for MS which obviously is a condition close to my heart.”

One of the tracks on his latest album, Jaqueline Dreams, is a tribute to the virtuoso cellist Jacqueline du Pré, whose career was ended by MS at 28 years old. She died in 1987, aged 42.

To purchase the CDs, visit https://davidjgodden.co.uk/

READ: Man (99) dies after fire at flat in Nairn


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