Meet the talented Sunderland singer performing from her garden to raise spirits during lockdown

Elaine Rennie from Galashiels Road, Grindon, is singing from her garden every day to cheer up her neighbours.

After feeling very low emotionally during the coronavirus lockdown, the 49-year-old decided to do something positive for both herself and others.

Having years of experience singing professionally in nightclubs around the region, the Sunderland mum decided to put her talent to good use and began to sing outside each day in the hope of boosting morale in the community.

The former nursery-nurse said she first sang on Good Friday and has continued singing a variety of songs from around 5pm each day to the delight of her neighbours.

And their response has been hailed as ‘amazing’ by the singer who said she is now using her performances to raise cash for the NHS.

Elaine said: “I reached a point where I was so low in isolation and my heart was breaking for the world.

“I am so broken-hearted for all those who have lost their lives through coronavirus and for all those nurses and doctors who are putting their lives at risk.

Rather than dwelling inside, Elaine thought she would go out to sing to cheer herself, and hopefully her neighbours up.

She said: “I decided I would sing outside to raise spirits.

“The first time I went out to sing I was so scared and embarrassed about how it would be received, but then everyone started standing in their gardens to listen and pulling up in cars.

“I couldn’t believe the response – everyone has said that it has cheered them up and lifted their spirits.”

Videos of her daily performances can be seen on Elaine’s Facebook page, while donations have raised more than £100 for the NHS.

Elaine said: “From being so low to getting this kind of response is amazing and I just hope I will be able to help others with it.

“I have been singing for around two and a half hours a night but one night I sang for four and a half hours!

“I just want people to be happy.”

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