12-year-old singer duets with professional performer to treat care home residents to 'absolutely amazing' concert

Talented Lucas Richmond (12), previously a chorister at Rotherham Minster, often sings with and for 86-year-old grandad Barrie Richmond, who used to be in a choir in Sheffield.

Earlier this year, Lucas performed a belated solo carol concert at Moorgate Croft on Nightingale Road, after his original festive show was postponed due to Covid precautions.

His exploits were spotted in the Advertiser by freelance community consultant Kathy Markwick, who introduced Friendship Lunches aimed at the elderly, lonely and socially isolated across South Yorkshire.

Monthly events are held in Rotherham, often with live entertainment from Oliver Harris — a Barnsley singer who has built up a popular following, with guests often donning “Oliver’s Army” T-shirts.

After reading about Lucas and his grandad, Kathy contacted the family, who live in Swallownest, and invited them to a lunch event.

“Sadly, as Barrie has dementia they were unable to accept,” she said, “and this is why Oliver and I decided to take the show ‘on the road’.”

Oliver performed songs including Neil Diamond’s Sweet Caroline and Pavarotti's Nessun Dorma, before Aston Academy student Lucas joined the show with Go The Distance from Disney’s Hercules and Westlife’s You Raise Me Up — the latter a tune he enjoys singing with Barrie.

Before duetting with Lucas, Oliver said: “Wow! What an amazing young man with a brilliant voice.

“They were not easy songs he chose to sing and he did an absolutely amazing job.”

Kathy said: “I have done hundreds of events over the years and the one at Moorgate Croft undoubtedly ranks among the best ever.

“Lucas and Oliver are both awesome performers with incredible voices.  

“When they sang I Dreamed a Dream and Bring Him Home (both from Les Misérables) together, we had to remind everyone this was the first time they had ever met.

“Their performances were superb and so beautiful.”

Proud mum Karen said: “Lucas takes away so much pleasure in singing and we are so proud of his maturity, kindness and patience when performing to his grandpa and other elderly residents.

“On this occasion, he had the added bonus of singing with a professional artist, which he thoroughly enjoyed. It was a fantastic opportunity for him.

“It was lovely to see how well adult and child singers interacted on their first ever meeting with no rehearsal and how they sang together so beautifully.”

Home manager Lauren Davies said: “It was totally amazing and our residents, staff and families loved it.

“Lucas and Oliver are wonderful at what they do — I don’t think we had a dry eye within the time they were performing.

“We will for sure be booking Oliver again within the near future, and Lucas is welcome anytime, as he already knows.”