Henry in charity music marathon for St John

St Sampson’s High student Henry Wood, 15, has suffered with the condition since he was about 10 years old, which affects his joints, leading to frequent dislocation.

However, he was not properly diagnosed until last year due to multiple doctors pre-judging the cause of his numerous injuries, quickly putting aside concerns of hypermobility.

Henry said the condition has caused a great deal of stress.

‘Maintaining a social life is one of the hardest things because I could be out with my mates and something like my knee will just go. It’s not nice for them or me,’ he said.

Because of this Henry has taken 56 journeys with the St John Ambulance Service over the last year.

He said that unlike past medical assistance, it had been a great relief to have them on hand.

‘The staff have just been amazing, everyone is so friendly and understanding,’ said Henry.

‘I’ve also been in the ambulance so many times that I’ve got to know them all so well.’

He has now embarked on his own Musical Marathon, in which he aims to play the piano, keyboard or organ at as many locations in the Bailiwick as possible to raise money for the ambulance service.

He started piano lessons aged six, with his current passion of jazz and blues music being born around a year ago following a visit from renowned Czech jazz pianist Milan Svoboda, who is the father of his cousin’s girlfriend.

Henry has now started to write his own jazz and blues songs.

Alongside five of his friends, he is also part of an indie pop rock band called Dislocation, named due to his hypermobility, who have performed at the Sound Craft Sessions and School of Popular Music live events.

Henry said his passion for music was a key factor behind his unique choice of fundraiser.

‘I see so many people doing charity runs and swims that I wanted to do something different that was personal to me. I knew I wanted to link it to music so I just thought why not try play the piano at as many places as possible?’

The fundraiser began at St Sampson’s Church on Saturday 22 April and Henry is now making his way through a curated shortlist of venues that includes churches, schools and hotels.

He had aimed to raise £500, but had already raised £1,030.

He aims to finish the campaign with a concert at St James, likely to take place in about three months' time.

n To support the Music Marathon go to the JustGiving page at: bit.ly/40BUIgi.