Pensioner with dementia to release second Christmas single

A care home resident with dementia is hoping to top the charts with a version of White Christmas – a year after she got more downloads than Ed Sheeran and Ariana Grande.

Margaret Mackie, 84, recorded the Bing Crosby classic from Northcare Suites Care Home in Edinburgh, where she is a resident, and hopes to get the Christmas number one slot.

Former carer Jamie Lee Morley, 32, who is a singer, recorded his guide vocals in a recording studio on November 12.

Mum-of-one Margaret then listened to them over a video call, and was sent recording equipment – in a bid to surpass the success she had last Christmas with ‘My Way’ by Frank Sinatra, which entered the Amazon top ten.

In the iTunes Top 40 UK Pop Songs chart Margaret and Jamie reached number 27 – beating Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande.

Jamie plans to release the latest track on Thursday, December 3, and it will be available on a variety of major music platforms, including Spotify, Amazon and iTunes, with all profits split between Alzheimer’s Society and Dementia UK.

Last year Margaret, from Linlithgow, West Lothian, delighted staff and fellow residents at the care home with her rendition of My Way.

‘It’s one of the most heartwarming things I have ever heard.’
Jamie Lee Morley

Jamie, originally from Manchester, decided to professionally record the track and release it as a single and raise money for Alzheimer’s Society and Dementia UK.

Margaret’s daughter Mairi Hunter, 56, contacted Jamie about the latest collaboration and he admitted he got quite emotional when he listened to the new track.

Jamie said: “When I listened to the track after it was all put together I cried, I am not going to lie.

“She even does a little bit of singing at the end of the song – a bit of a mash up with Jingle Bells.

“It’s one of the most heartwarming things I have ever heard.

“I can not imagine what it must feel like for people in care homes and their families just now.

“We want to put out the message for people living with dementia and Alzheimer’s to keep going and push them to do what they love, whether it’s music or arts and crafts, because Margaret is living proof it’s important and it keeps her in a happy place.

“We would love to get Christmas number one and it would be an amazing achievement.

“But we wanted to do a single to lift spirits and keep Margaret busy.

“Any time she is singing or listening to music it lifts her spirits and it gets everyone involved and the public seemed to love the story last time.”

‘Margaret loves music and it’ll never leave her – that’s very special.’
Jamie Lee Morley

Jamie contacted SoundSound studios in Ingliston, Edinburgh to record his vocals, which were then played to Margaret over a video call to aid her in the singing of White Christmas.

Donations are still coming in from the previous charity single, which has raised more than £1600 and racked up around 26,000 online streams.

Jamie added: “I went to the studio and recorded my guide vocals and equipment was sent to the home and Margaret recorded it from the comfort of her bedroom.

“It made the process a lot easier for Margaret. She’s an absolute superstar.

“My grandad had dementia and I think that’s where we bond so much.

“The love of music comes into it so much. It’s been the most lovely and amazing thing to do.

“We’re putting a bit of fun and happy cheer out there for people to enjoy.

“Margaret loves music and it’ll never leave her – that’s very special.”