Broadcaster and entertainer Fiona Kennedy OBE brought some early Christmas cheer to residents in an Aberdeen care home yesterday afternoon.
The popular performer led an hour-long sing-song in the lounge of Ruthrieston House, accompanied by a guitar player, in the first of four mini-concerts for her favourite local charity.
The star has been a supporter of VSA, the city’s leading social care charity, for more than 30 years and has served as its chairwoman and is currently its honorary president. She was given an OBE in the New Year Honours list for services to music and charity.
Yesterday’s concert at Ruthrieston House will be followed by performances in VSA’s Crosby House and Broomhill Park on December 11 and Cloverfield on December 15.
Residents were treated to a variety of music, beginning with some old Scottish folk songs and finishing, appropriately, with a set of Christmas carols.
While the guitar player sat back, Ms Kennedy mingled with her delighted audience, often pulling up a chair beside them and sharing a cosy chat between numbers.
A spokesman for VSA said: “This was entirely Fiona’s idea and we’re delighted for it to have gone ahead.
“Because she wasn’t on a stage this allowed her to be more interactive and it was an absolute treat for our residents.”
He added: “Fiona is a very active honorary president.”
In addition to running homes for older people VSA works with people with learning difficulties and mental health problems and provides services for children.