A TELEVISION celebrity made an appearance at a city care home to perform classical music for a very poignant reason.

Television presenter, wine expert and singer Oz Clarke OBE, visited Latimer Court Care Home while cycling from Warwick to Wells as part of the Great Bike Challenge.

He is leading the Armonico Consort’s team of cyclists in a challenging four-day bike tour which began on Wednesday (September 6) and will end on Saturday (September 9).

Their aim is to raise £20,000 to set up more Memory Singers choirs for people living with dementia and their carers.

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Oz Clarke said the journey so far had been exciting and he was happy to be in Worcester.

He said: "It has been exhausting, it has been the hottest day for months and we have been hard at it.

"We have come from all the way from Warwick today where we have already sung and now we are in Worcester ready to sing again.

"We are trying to bring joy and uplift the people living with dementia.

"Music is a real way to access happiness and times when things were better.

"The doctors say there is no better medicine than music.

"We are trying to raise £20,000 and every fiver helps."

Covering 200 miles and climbing 10,000ft, the journey will take the group cross country, from the Armonico’s base in Warwick, via the "Three Choirs" of Worcester, Hereford and Gloucester, and then on to Wells Cathedral in Somerset.

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Danny Taylor-Edwards, activity co-ordinator and dementia champion for Latimer Court Care Home, was delighted the tour was able to stop off to perform for residents.

He said: "We were contacted by the group who selected us out of the many care homes here in Worcester.

"The donations are coming in which is wonderful and I really think that music is just wonderful for people living with dementia.

"Before you know it, feet start tapping, people may have a little boogie.

"Music is so important.

"You can see a real change in the residents when there is a musical performance so it is brilliant to have this here with us today."

To donate to the tour's efforts, visit www.armonico.org.uk/bike2023.