From the godfather of charity singles, Band Aid’s 1984 ‘Do They Know it’s Christmas,’ to the X Factor’s Help for Heroes single, artists are known for coming together and creating music for much needed causes.
Following in the footsteps of music’s greats, a talented young and upcoming musician from Leeds has been inspired to raise vital funds for Martin House Children’s Hospice through doing what he loves best.
Luke Flear, 16, a budding singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, has raised more than £500 through busking with his acoustic guitar in Leeds city centre and surrounding towns as well as performing at local events.
Martin House Hospice is a charity close to Luke’s heart, as the hospice provided vital bereavement support to the family of a close friend from his school after she was knocked down and killed in May 2016.
Luke has been passionate about music since he was a small child. His first love was drums and he had his own kit by the time he was two. He began writing songs when he was just six years old; picked up his first guitar at ten and the piano soon after. Over the years he has performed as the frontman of a Leeds-based band called Territory, busked around the city and now performs as a solo artist, playing local gigs most weekends; in pubs, at gin festivals, supporting tribute bands, at private parties, beer festivals and weddings.
Luke said, “Quite simply, music is my life. The music I perform falls loosely into the Pop Rock genre and my music influences include the likes of Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams and many others. I would love to make a career out of music as a singer, songwriter.”
With a following of loyal fans, a video of Luke busking in aid of Martin House has reached over 44,000 people on social media and been viewed 18.3k times.
Luke was recently asked to film himself playing Elton John’s ‘Your Song’ as well as a particular song he had written, ‘You and Me’, by one of his fans who wanted to play his girlfriend the footage as he proposed to her. After accepting the proposal, the couple have since asked Luke to play at their wedding as well as attend the ceremony along with his family as a guest.
Commenting on Luke’s donation, Bhranti Naik from Martin House said, “Martin House relies almost entirely on donations, legacies and fundraising to raise the money needed to provide vital care and support for children and young people across West, North and East Yorkshire. We are very grateful to Luke for the funds he has raised through using his music to do a little good. His donation will help children and families at a time when they need it most.”
Luke recently completed his GCSEs at Garforth Academy and begins studying music at Access Creative College in York this month.
He plans to release his first studio recorded piece of music online in the near future (which will be available to stream and buy).
