A SINGER who lifted the spirits of thousands during the lockdown says he has been humbled after receiving a letter of commendation from the Queen's representative in Cornwall.

Will Keating from Falmouth said the letter from the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall Colonel Edward Bolitho OBE, came completely out of the blue and really lifted his spirits during a difficult time.

‘It was a complete surprise," he said. "It really gave me a lift. They haven’t been in contact before. It came completely out of the blue. It made me very proud. It came at the right time as I was going through a bit of a low time because there has been no work. It was quite a lovely pick me up."

The letter praises the hard work, selflessness, collaboration, innovation and courage shown by so many across Cornwall during the Covid-19 pandemic saying it has been truly inspirational.

It continues: "It has emphasized once again the strength of our community spirit and made a real difference to people's lives

"As Her Majesty the Queen's representative, I would like to thank you for the wonderful contribution you have made, and are continuing to make, to Cornwall during these extraordinary and challenging times."

In a handwritten addition to the letter the Lord Lieutenant said: "Music has been such a tonic the year."

Will says he hadn’t thought about what to do with the letter yet but says he will probably frame it and put it up in his kitchen

‘It was such a big movement that happened so quickly. Just asked us to video us singing Cornwall My Home then I thought why don’t I just live stream it to keep me busy. The positive feedback was just amazing. It was humbling helping people out during a very difficult time."

However not everyone was as happy about the recognition, Will Keating's daughter Lily was very upset he said: 'She said "Where’s my recognition. I Googled Will Keating’s daughter and nothing came up."'

Thousands of people tuned in each week on Facebook to see Will sing much-loved song Cornwall My Home after the Thursday night Clap For Our Carers during April and beyond.

It all began with Rachel Gerred-Hart and Shelley Peters from Penryn coming up with the idea of a Voices of the Borough event to bring the community together in song - but this grew to become Doorstep Voices after people from outside the town showed interest in taking part.

The result was people from countries around the world tuning it just after 8pm each Thursday to hear Will sing, often accompanied by his family from their Falmouth home.