CHARITY SONG: John Vaughan from Gneeveguilla has penned a song 'Special Words' with proceeds going to Kerry Cancer Support Group.

By Michelle Crean

In a year when everything has changed and the world has become a very different place one man decided that he is going to do his bit to keep a local essential service on the road.

John Vaughan from Gneeveguilla, who works as a postman, wrote and recorded a song called 'Special Words' and decided to donate the proceeds from sales to Kerry Cancer Support Group. The charity operates the Healthlink Transport Service to Cork and Limerick and has continued to transport service users safely and within guidelines to cancer related appointments all through the pandemic.

John said that he wants to sincerely thank everyone for their support and that he is delighted to be able to support this cause. He said that without the support from the Healthlink Transport service many people wouldn’t get to hospitals for their treatment and that he is very happy to contribute to keeping such an essential service rolling. He also said that all contributions are gratefully accepted.

Many people have been asking him if he came up with the song as a result of the pandemic, but he explained that the words have been with him for years. The song has been played on radio stations in Kerry, Cork and Limerick and has been met with a very warm reception.

"About four years ago the words of the song came into my head," John told the Killarney Advertiser.

"I had it written within an hour. I went to Leo Fitzgerald's recording studio in Ballydesmond. I had the melody and he put it all together. My sister in Boston put it up on Facebook a few months ago and people said it's very appropriate for the virus. It started to be played on different radio stations and I decided I wanted to help a charity and got onto Breda."

To date John has raised over €1,000 for the charity.

"Because of the virus physical copies can't be held by the charity but people can contact me to get one. Hopefully it'll raise some more."

John can be contacted at slanteimmune@gmail.com for information on purchasing a copy of 'Special Words' or write to him: John Vaughan, Gneeveguilla, Co Kerry.

"I want to thank Leo for all his help and patience producing the song and his dad Mike for helping me share it with radio stations."

Breda Dyland from Kerry Cancer Support Group said that the charity is very grateful to John and all who have purchased the song.

"It is a beautiful song that is very fitting for the times that we are faced with. All funds raised will go towards the operation of our Healthlink transport service."