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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Kathleen Speirs

Heartwarming moment elderly woman with dementia sings My Way in Edinburgh care home

This is the heartwarming moment a dementia sufferer performed a Frank Sinatra hit word perfect at her care home Christmas party.

Margaret Mackie, 83, can't remember one day to the next after being diagnosed with the debilitating disease .

But the pensioner from Linlithgow stunned staff and residents at Northcare Suites Care Home in Edinburgh when she sang My Way at the Christmas do.

Jamie Lee Morley with Margaret Mackie at the Christmas party where they sang My Way by Frank Sinatra (Jamie Lee Morley)

Margaret, who's lived at Northcare Suites since October last year, wowed the crowd alongside care home butler, Jamie Lee Morley.

Jamie, 31, says he bonded with Margaret over their shared love for music.

He told the Record: "If I'm with Margaret one day, she won't remember me the next day.

"But every day we sing either Elvis Presley or Frank Sinatra and she can sing every song word perfect.

"Plus she is an amazing singer, it's incredible what music can do."

Jamie Lee Morley and Margaret Mackie sing either Elvis Presley or Frank Sinatra songs everyday at the care home in Edinburgh (Jamie Lee Morley)

Part-time singer, Jamie brought a kids choir he works with to Northcare Suites on Wednesday for the festive bash.

He then got up to sing My Way with Margaret.

Footage of the adorable performance has since gone viral on social media.

"I was wary about sharing the clip but Margaret's family were all for it as they want to raise awareness," Jamie said.

"People think once you get dementia your life's over.

"Margaret proves that life it always worth living."

Jamie Lee Morley said it was music that brought him and Margaret Mackie together (Jamie Lee Morley)

Manchester-born Jamie moved to Edinburgh 14 years ago.

Unhappy in his last job as a barista, he applied for the job at Northcare and has served food and drink for residents there since September.

Also looking for a change, Margaret moved to Northcare in October after struggling to settle in her old home.

"I've only ever experienced warmth and love from Scottish people," Jamie said.

"I feel like I have Scottish blood now.

"The banter and humour is amazing and I just love the residents, especially Margaret."

The performance went down a storm at the Christmas party on Wednesday (Jamie Lee Morley)

Jamie's emotional clip has been viewed over 6,000 times on Facebook.

Margaret's daughter, Mairi Hunter, thinks it's important to show others that life isn't over after a dementia diagnosis.

Mairi, 55, told the Record: "The video is incredible.

"Raising awareness is important around dementia.

"The fact that my mum can remember these songs word perfect is amazing."

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