A Glasgow carer who became a Tiktok star will appear on a charity single released this week.
Graeme Sutherland, 31, is one of five carers from around the UK invited to sing backing vocals on Thank You for Being a Friend alongside legendary performer Tony Christie.
It comes after the popular musician announced in January that he had been diagnosed with dementia.
Now Graeme is joining efforts to bring communities together and give people the chance to say "thank you" to their neighbours, friends and family.
He has used his social media following to help carers feel less isolated and lonely after starting out on TikTok while caring for his mother who lives with dementia.
The social worker continues to make content while she is in residential care and gives out advice to others who find themselves in a similar situation and are looking for support.
Thank You for Being a Friend has been launched by the Music for Dementia campaign for Thank You Day, which is being celebrated nationally on Sunday, July 2.
Christie has been joined by a stellar lineup of singers, musicians and producers including Sting, Nile Rodgers, Graham Gouldman and Graeme Pleeth, many of whom have lost a family member to dementia.
All proceeds from the single will go to The Power of Music Fund being convened by the National Academy of Social Prescribing, kickstarted by £1m of support from The Utley Foundation.
Christie, who turned 80 in April of this year, was friends with Andrew Gold who wrote and released Thank You for Being a Friend in 1978.
It has been re-recorded with the blessing of Andrew’s wife, Leslie Ann Kogan.
He said: “Performing, staying positive and trying not to let dementia affect my life really lifts me so taking part in Thank You Day has been a privilege and a blessing, not just for me but for my whole family, including my wife Sue who’s behind me every step of the way.
“Sue supports me rather than cares for me right now, but there are millions of unseen and unsung carers doing their thing every day and this is our way of thanking them.
“I am living proof of the power of music on people living with dementia and I fully support the Music for Dementia campaign and its work with Thank You Day.
"It is so special that this country has been gifted a day that connects communities with this incredible celebration of people and music.
“So get involved, learn the song, come together with someone you want to thank and let’s sing it together - thank you for being a friend.”
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