WATCH: Wolverhampton saxophonist in live show to thank NHS

A saxophone player in Wolverhampton is using his skills to help fundraise for front line workers.

Ben Smith, who lives in Wednesfield, came up with the idea during the Clap For Our Carers event as a nurse lives nearby.

And now he plans to put on a live concert to raise money for NHS Charities Together.

He said: "Originally, a few weeks back we had Clap For Our Carers and there's a nurse over the road from me.

"Everyone was going out clapping and she was in tears.

"My job is as a saxophonist and I'm a music teacher, too, so I took a request from her – she came out with Whitney Houston's I Have Nothing Left.

"So I played that on the street and the video got 50,000 views and after that I said I've got a good platform – how can I raise money?"

So far the 29-year-old, who has been playing for 19 years, has raised £1,000 so far and has tried to make it into a "positive thing".

It comes only days after he was due to get married in Italy – before it was cancelled due to coronavirus.

The music teacher, who works at SIPS Education in West Bromwich, said: "I've tried to use it as a positive thing.

"I was due to get married in Italy but it was cancelled, so I'm trying to take my mind off that and do something positive.

"I'm trained in jazz, so anything with a jazz influence is what I play – but it's mainly been power ballads which have gone down very well.

"People are enjoying it and we're raising money, too."

Ben will play every Thursday – as part of Clap For Our Carers – and hopes to put on a full event this Thursday.

His friend James Hollingworth, a DJ from Huddersfield, has spent four hours mixing together some tracks for the performance.

"I'm trying to do something fresh," Ben said.

"I'm trying to do a live show like a live stream, so I'm hoping that will boost the money up for the NHS."