Guernsey Press

Arabella plays her ukulele for health workers

A 13-YEAR-OLD islander is raising money for health workers who are treating patients diagnosed with the coronavirus.

Published
Arabella Ford. (27777674)

Arabella Ford’s cousin is an anaesthetist working in Scotland, so she has been hearing first-hand about how overworked and under pressure the staff are because of a surge in patients infected with Covid-19.

In her online lesson break times, Arabella grabs her ukulele and plays and sings from her St Saviour’s garden to passing pedestrians and cyclists.

Half of the money she raises will go the Princess Elizabeth Hospital staff and the other half will go to the hospital where her cousin works.

The idea is that they will be able to buy themselves a small treat and it is also a way of recognising the brave work they do.

Arabella said she wanted to do her bit to help.

‘I knew everyone was feeling a bit down at this moment because it’s a worrying time, so I thought it could cheer people up, and why not do it for a charity.

‘Any time I have a break, I always say to my mum that I’m just going outside to play the ukulele and I’ll be back in a bit.’

The ukulele might seem like an odd instrument for a youngster, but Arabella said it was fun and easy to carry around and made a happy, joyful sound.

She has been playing for just over a year, and is self-taught, with the help of YouTube.

Her favourite songs to play are ‘Riptide’ and ‘I can’t help falling in love with you’, and in the future the goal is to be able to play requests.

Now studying from home, like the majority of pupils across the island, Arabella is missing her friends but is trying to stay positive.

‘I’ve definitely been able to up my creativeness because it’s such a boring time and it’s quite stressful to keep up with school work as well.

‘I mainly call my friends and we do the work together, but when the internet malfunctions or it won’t load it’s quite stressful because then I can’t do the work. The ukulele is a way for me to relax and keep my spirits up, and hopefully the spirits of the people around me too.’