Notts teacher's advent songs in memory of mum raise charity cash

James Clegg, who lives at Lowdham and teaches maths at Kimberley School, took on a challenge in memory of his mum Jo-Ann McLaughlin.

She had breast cancer, which went into remission but eventually spread, and Jo-Ann died of secondary bone cancer on August 17, aged 63.

James was just able to introduce his mum to his first child Martha, who was born in July.

Jo-Ann had worked as a child psychiatrist on St John's Street, Mansfield, for 20 years and with husband Ian Clegg, raised James and his sisters in Ravenshead.

James, 32, said: “I've been uploading a song a day to an 'Acoustic Advent' in memory of my mum. The initial target was £200 but we are well over £5,000 now with a lot of the support coming from in and around Mansfield.

“I wanted to do something positive and raise money for Cancer Research UK. I have had lots of kind messages and people sharing their stories of cancer too.

“Mum would have loved it, she was a very benevolent she taught us to see the best in people and be generous and kind with our time.”

James started uploading his festive songs and other tunes on December 1, His last one is today, December 24, They are all available to watch on You Tube. In one song he is joined by his dad Ian Clegg, and sisters Laura and Katie Clegg.

James has also been interviewed by Summaya Mughal for BBC Radio Leicester and talked with Sarah Julian on BBC Radio Nottingham's Make a Difference campaign on Monday, December 21

James, who is a former graduate of Leeds University, said: “I’m just pleased my mum at least got to meet her first granddaughter Martha. She was well known in Mansfield and we had nice messages about her.

"She would have been so proud of this which has raised so much for the charity.”

To donate, see https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/jamesclegg2020 and to see the videos, see www.youtube.com/user/Jamesclegg88.