When the nation stood at their front doors and back gardens every Thursday night to show appreciation for the NHS staff & front line key workers there was a strong feeling of solidarity amongst neighbours and the community. When time was called on the weekly event fundraising manager Murray Easton still looked for ways to build on the community spirit that had been critical during the early weeks of lockdown. As he put it - “I wanted to keep spirits up, so I booked a mobile coffee van (the Flat White) to park in our driveway a few times. So it was great to socialise safely outside and adhere to social distancing with friends and family”
I’ve known Murray for a few years now and his passion in making the best of situations has always amazed me. From working with him on fundraising activities at the British Heart Foundation and Pancreatic Cancer Scotland to grabbing a beer or coffee when time allowed we’ve built up a good friendship. Earlier this year when I was dealing with mental health problems , Murray was a constant source of help and input for me and for that I am very grateful.
With thousands of gigs and blogs under his belt Murray has a wonderful insight into the live music scene and recently guested on Desert Island Disco with Lauren Laverne on BBC Radio 6. It was nice to catch up with him and chat about working though 2020.
Q. How have you been keeping yourself busy?
A. I have 2 young daughters who keep me busy! In addition I've been playing tennis after semi-retirement from 7-a-sides and I am loving it. Getting lost in game for a couple of hours is a great form of escapism, as well as exercise!
I have also continued to write my blog, although it now has more of a focus on older music that I have loved for a long time, but the odd new band / release features.
Q. Has social media been good or bad for you since March?
A. It's largely been good, but I have blocked/unfollowed some people.
But by-in-large I follow or I am friends with like minded people. So there is plenty of chat about music and football, plus the odd bit on politics and news. In addition I've had zoom calls with friends I have made through the band Teenage Fanclub which have been great fun. It's been good to get a perspective on things from various places across the world before going on to get drunk and talk about the band!
Q. What has been your biggest challenge ?
A. Hmmm home schooling, no date night, no gigs, working from home, staying positive ....I am definitely a glass half full person, but this is testing!
The biggest has probably not been seeing my Mum as often. She used to pick up the kids from school a couple of times a week, so that has been off since March and I know what a big thing it was for my Mum and the kids. They all got so much out of it. Then my Mum had a mild stroke in the summer and can no longer drive, so she can't just nip to the shops or nip over to see us in the garden. Not being able to visit her in hospital was challenging.
Thankfully she is on the mend and might even resume driving, although she'll stay local.
Q. Where have you found strength at difficult times?
A. Definitely in family and friends. I remember the first time our friends and neighbours Clare & Robbie came and sat on our garden wall and we chatted for 20-minutes after not seeing them for a while, this was maybe after the hard lockdown. I felt elated afterwards, just to have some social interaction.
The kids definitely keep us going. They make us smile and laugh and if we can do the same in return then it keeps our spirits up.
Q. How did you cope with home schooling?
A. Initially it was a buzz for us all. We would try and do a couple of hours a day and also make sure there was time for exercise. It got tougher!
One of our friends and neighbours quit his job last year to do a year of teacher training. After the hard lockdown ended he came round to our summer house to do 2-hours a week with the kids and the difference between our teaching and his was amazing!
We did OK but I think everyone has newly added respect for teachers.
Q. What have you learned about yourself?
A. Good question! I guess through the coffee van and the Fanclub zooms, I'm good at bringing people together!
I love a good chat with people from all walks of life!
I'm pretty resilient, but that's being tested!
And I guess I've learned (or clarified) that it is simple things in life that keep me happy; family, friends, socialising .. health.
Q. Did you pick up any new skills?
A. I did download Football Manager for the first time in a long time! It's been another good escapism, just to switch off and listen to music while taking Motherwell to within touching distance of the league!
Q. What have you missed most?
A. Gigs and all the socialising that goes with them. They tend to be (or they were) my main excuse/reason these days for getting friends together or getting a night out with my wife. And I miss Glasgow and really worry what the city will look and feel like this time next year.
A few beers pre-show in a pub like McChuills and then on to the Barrowland and maybe a cheeky couple afterwards with good company. What I'd give for a night like that. I can't wait to experience loud music with loads of people and the opportunity to sing and dance and I get anxious when I think of how long it might be before we do that again.
Q. What are your hopes for the charity sector when we begin to move out of lockdown?
A. That we survive! The sector has lost an estimated £10 billion since March. That is £10 billion taken away from research, care, support, campaigning and awareness plus all the other amazing things charities do.
But we have to learn from this. We were too reliant on events and people getting sponsorship. We need to really focus on why charities are needed and the difference that they make. We need to be more transparent about what we want to do and the cost involved in doing it.
People haven't lost their passion or determination to support a cause or make a difference. We, as charities, need to get them involved in a different way and sometimes that will be a direct ask for money in support of a project.
My own charity, Pancreatic Cancer Scotland, merged with Pancreatic Cancer Action (we're now Pancreatic Cancer Action Scotland) at the start of lockdown. So our hopes and dreams took a little turn as everything changed overnight! We're ready to come out fighting and the merger has made us stronger.
I just hope that charities continue to make a difference. We are a resilient, passionate and creative bunch of people. We're being sorely tested and many people have been made redundant. I hope that the sector begins to flourish again and ultimately the research, care, support, campaigning and awareness that charities help with gets back to the levels they were pre COVID.
