Katherine Jenkins performs live lockdown concert from her back garden to care home residents
Welsh opera singer Katherine Jenkins has entertained care home residents with a live streamed concert from her back garden.
Thousands of residents and staff at care homes watched the Neath-born singer from their communal areas, or in their rooms if they are isolating, while family members were also invited to watch from home.
Jenkins has been doing live concerts online throughout lockdown and recently performed at the Royal Albert Hall in London to an empty auditorium as part of VE Day celebrations.
Residents at two care home chains, Anchor Hanover and CHD Living, were treated to the lockdown performance. Hundreds of homes tuned in while thousands of people also watched online from their own homes.
The event, organised in partnership with Vodafone, was broadcast from Jenkins’ garden where she sang songs like 'A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square', 'You'll Never Walk Alone' and 'We'll Meet Again'. Residents were encouraged to sing along with Jenkins.
The singer even took a birthday request from one care home resident, Audrey Grogan, who reaches 109 years old in July and asked for Jenkins to sing 'You Are My Sunshine'.
Residents also sang Happy Birthday to the opera star who celebrated her 40th birthday at the end of June.
Jenkins said she was "delighted" to put on this virtual performance because "singing is so good for the soul."
One 90-year-old resident and trained soprano said she was "very proud" to be able to sing alongside Katherine Jenkins while another said they would never forget the experience.
Katherine Jenkins has been raising money for charities dealing with the covid crisis throughout lockdown via live concerts from her home every week. She also teamed up with the late Dame Vera Lynn to release a duet of 'We'll Meet Again', donating the proceeds to NHS Charities Together.