A WEE COUNTY woman has been touring the car parks of care homes in Clackmannanshire and beyond to entertain residents and staff during lockdown.

Debbie Muirhead has so far completed at least 34 gigs at 19 different homes since she first started performing to residents in mid-April.

These include Parklands Care Home in Alloa, Beechwood Park Care Home in Sauchie, and Bedford Court retirement housing – also in Alloa.

The 51-year-old, from Tillicoultry, is often helped by her fiancé Paul, and friend Chris during the performances.

All the gigs are free, and completed in the trio’s free time with the sole purpose of giving care home staff and residents “something to look forward to”.

Debbie told the Advertiser: “It’s all free time we give up, and we go live on Facebook because they [residents] have friends and family who want to see.”

Some of the comments on Facebook have been from residents’ family members from as far away as America – and they are always appreciative.

And the demand for entertainment has been insatiable; when Debbie spoke to the Advertiser on June 17, she was already fully booked up for the next two weeks.

Under current guidance, care homes have had to restrict visitors to emergency situations only, and the use of communal areas and activities are being avoided.

So, the opportunity to have staff and residents entertained with live music from outside is always welcome.

Speaking about the type of music she sings, Debbie said: “It’s a bit of everything: country, 60s, 70s, and we ask them for requests as well.”

Debbie says she will keep the performances going for as long as she can.

And she was keen to show her appreciation to all the care homes she has performed for.

She said: “I just want to say thanks to them all.”

To watch some of Debbie’s performances, visit her Facebook page by searching for ‘Debbie sings for u'.