A DJ who hosts annual Elvis parties at Prestwick Airport has raised money for hospital wards after holding his own lockdown parties at home.

Paul Downie, 60, has brought people together with the power of music as hundreds tune in every weekend to listen to their favourite Elvis tracks.

Last week, he raised £1,143.61 for wards 3A and 3C at Crosshouse Hospital to give something back to the NHS.

He started the sets playing a host of Elvis classics to entertain people during lockdown.

Paul told the Advertiser: “I run the Elvis fan club in Glasgow, The Elvis Touch. It all started with a one-off show last month, but it became a huge success with viewers and listeners from all over the world.

“I wanted to do my bit for people who would normally be out enjoying themselves at the weekend, to bring some entertainment to them.

“I came up with the idea to raise some money for the NHS, because my wife and daughter both work for them. I decided to raise the money for cancer wards 3A and 3C at Crosshouse. I never expected to raise that much. I set the target at £200 and it’s ended up being over a thousand.”

The Elvis super-fan from Irvine, decided to bring some entertainment to people during the coronavirus lockdown.

And after a successful trial show, Paul started to run the live streams every Friday and Saturday night, with Friday exclusively for Elvis and Saturday rock ‘n’ roll classics.

Using his own vast collection of vinyl and CDs, he has been taking requests and interacting with fans in amongst playing tracks.

Paul who works as a blind fitter, said: “I’m furloughed just now so it’s giving me something to look forward to each week. It’s keeping me sane.

“I’m averaging about 294 viewers and people are watching on watch parties. It’s been brilliant and the neighours have been brand new as well.

“Everybody’s interacting and it’s bringing people closer together.

“Its great to see that it’s re-uniting people just now. People are coming together again over the music. I have gotten in touch with people I’ve not seen for 40 years we’re all going to arrange to meet up after this.”

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