A DEDICATED, hearing-impaired musician is on a mission to raise valuable funds for the vital Lifeline service as he stops in Mount Gambier today as part of his three-year musical tour.
Sydney man Murray Mandel is playing his classical sounds to community members as he arrives in each state to raise awareness for the crisis support service.
Beginning his extensive tour in Canberra in March, Mr Mandel has already raised an outstanding $33,515 on his musical journey around the country.
Mr Mandel is expected to visit an impressive 150 destinations across Australia – performing inside malls, supermarkets and markets.
While playing, the guitarist sits among two large display boards sharing facts about Lifeline to passers by.
“100pc of funds raised go directly to the service and when I am in each different state, the money raised goes towards that particular branch,” Mr Mandel said.
His performance in the city will be his 209th, with Mount Gambier his last destination in South Australia before moving onto Victoria.
“I have visited five different destinations in the state, including Adelaide, and performed in 10 large shopping complexes,” Mr Mandel said.
After retiring from being a hospital microbiologist and Thai Chi instructor, Mr Mandel spent 12 months practicing and researching music before he began playing as a professional classical guitarist.
Mr Mandal was born almost completely deaf, however this has not stopped him from playing his beloved instrument.
“I always have the piece of music in front of me when playing, this is a much different way of playing music to the other normal hearing musicians,” he said.
His performances will be held at the Mount Gambier Marketplace today from 10am to 2.30pm.
“I am hoping the passers-by and the public will find my live background music soothing and most enjoyable, while learning more about Lifeline,” he said.
The tour is expected to be completed on March 20, 2020.
