AN IRVINE student nurse conducted an inspiring performance from a virtual brass band of NHS workers performing 500 miles by The Proclaimers.

Eilidh Houston, 30, who plays trombone in the video, got the band together to produce a heart-warming video.

The second-year nursing student at the University West of Scotland in Ayr wanted to bring some happiness to Facebook amid negativity and anxiety over the coronavirus crisis.

Eilidh, who also works as a nursing assistant to support frontline staff, saw it as an opportunity to bring colleagues some joy, as the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 continues to grow.

Eilidh told the Times: “I’m a student nurse and I work as a nursing assistant.

“Work is different than normal. There’s a lot of changes, it feels like the calm before the storm at the moment.”

“We’re all feeling the pressure, so I decided to set up an NHS virtual band. I know everyone in the video they are all NHS staff.

“We have members who work for health boards across Scotland. There’s Ayrshire and Arran, Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Dumfries and Galloway.

“We all play in various brass bands within those areas. In Ayrshire there are members from Dalmellington, Kilmarnock and Arran.

“I play trombone. It’s probably the first time I’ve played in my uniform and marched up and down my back garden but it was great fun.”

The video was a resounding success across the UK, as it racked up 100,000 views in just one day.

Eilidh was left stunned by the mass amount of hits, as she aimed to bring some joy to people during the coronavirus crisis.

She said: “The reaction has been unbelievable. I would have been amazed if it even got 1,000 people viewing.

“The main purpose was to put something out there that’s not doom and gloom. Something to brighten up people’s day, amidst all the worry and anxiety.

“I just wanted to bring some happiness to Facebook for a change.

“For a lot of us playing with a band, its our release. In the current situation bands are all cancelled, you can’t practice.

“It’s different just practising yourself.

“I hadn’t played for a couple of weeks, my lips were sore after it.”

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