Elaine Perry and Barbara Wilkinson

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Click here to listen to tracks from the CD

WORKING as a Prospect Hospice nurse, Elaine Perry sees first hand the difference that public donations can make to people's lives.

Elaine is a clinical nurse specialist who visits Prospect Hospice patients in their own homes and works with local GPs to make patients' lives as comfortable as possible before they actually enter the hospice at Wroughton.

Alongside her singing partner Barbara Wilkinson, a research assistant, she performed the song Candle On The Water from Disney film Peter's Dragon at last year's Light Up A Life memorial service.

And the success of their rendition of the song prompted people to ask where they could get a copy, which gave them the idea of putting together a CD in aid of Light Up A Life this year.

The annual national hospice campaign is aimed at raising awareness of the importance of the hospice movement, and provides local centres such as Prospect with a chance to raise the vital funds it needs to operate.

The three-track CD recorded by the pair includes the title track Candle On The Water, as well as Ave Maria as a duet and The Prayer, as originally recorded by Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion.

Elaine, of Wootton Bassett, said: "Because it's a Disney film song, we felt it wasn't really appropriately recorded given the sentiments of the song.

"The aim was to make it our own and to get a CD ready in time for this year's Light Up A Life."

For both singers it was their first time using a recording studio, having met several years ago at K School of Music.

"It has been quite a good experience, especially as a confidence booster for both of us," said Elaine, 44.

And Barbara, 35, of Haydon Wick, added: "It was quite good fun, but we were nervous.

"Whenever you perform you should see nerves as an aid rather than something to put you off."

In total, 500 copies of the CD were produced.

These are available from the nine Prospect Hospice shops in the area and at the hospice itself in Wroughton, for a suggested minimum donation of £5.

7:22pm Sunday 9th December 2007

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