A DISABLED music lover has launched a CD in a bid to share his memories of his time in hospital as a child.
Keith Whalley, 58, of Ulster Street, Burnley, has produced and recorded a CD entitled 'Biddulph Grange Memories' and named after the hospital where he spent many of his early years.
Keith spent months at the Staffordshire hospital as a child after contracting polio when he was just two months old. But he has written and sung his own songs to tell people about the happy times he spent there.
The hospital has now been demolished and transformed into private flats, although the National Trust has taken over the hospital's Victorian gardens.
In 1986, Keith took part in a charity cycle ride from Burnley to Staffordshire, to help the National Trust in their bid to raise £3million for the redesign and upkeep of the gardens.
Keith said: "When I went back as an adult I noticed how the gardens had all become dilapidated and been destroyed by vandalism, so I was over the moon when I found out the National Trust were going to take them over.
"I have such a lot of fond memories of the hospital and I felt I wanted to do something to help. I spent a lot of my childhood in Biddulph and am now disabled because of polio, but I still managed the 55-mile cycle ride to help raise money for them."
Between 1926 to 1848 the hospital was owned by Lancashire County Council, which is why Keith was sent to Biddulph for treatment. The National Trust have agreed to sell the CD in the visitor centre and the local library are also stocking it.
Keith added: "I think the CD is the perfect way for me to share my memories with people who remember the hospital."
Keith has also asked Burnley Library if they will stock the CD and they are yet to come back with a decision.
The CD is priced £7.99 and can be obtained by contacting Keith on 01282 426456.
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