John Jones: The Accordion Player Enriching Lives at Macclesfield Hospital
John Jones, an 84-year-old volunteer, has been entertaining patients and visitors at Macclesfield District General Hospital for 35 years with his accordion music. He began playing the instrument after his father's death, teaching himself to master it and finding joy in music.
Jones's volunteering journey started in 1991 when he visited the hospital with his mother-in-law and saw a fundraising appeal for a CT scanner. Since then, he has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for East Cheshire NHS Charity, contributing to various projects, including a family room in the intensive care unit.
His personal connection to the hospital deepened after his wife June passed away from sepsis in 2020. Jones continues to perform in care homes and remains actively involved in fundraising efforts, particularly for the intensive care unit, where he has a close relationship with the staff.
