WHEN I first heard the news about Tony Bennett announcing he had Alzheimer’s disease I was deeply saddened. His music has influenced me for my whole life. When learning to sing he was an example for me to follow.

I sang one of his songs at my wedding (For Once In My Life) and I have always had Tony’s music as the soundtrack to various events throughout my life.

I have told about my plans to sing for 24 hours to raise funds for the Alzheimer’s Society as a salute to Tony Bennett. My aim is to raise £5,000. I have now reached 70% of that target which I am really thrilled about.

I’m quietly confident I will be able to reach my goal which is fantastic. It would be even nicer to surpass it!

The highlight of this week for me has been receiving an official nod from Tony Bennett himself who posted on all his social media accounts about my fundraiser. What an honour to not only have him acknowledge what I’m doing but also promote it himself to all his followers!

His post read: “Absolutely inspiring to see fans making a change in the world. Keep it up, Wayne Devlin. Learn about his 24-hour Swing-A-Thon in support of Alzheimer’s Society”.

I also received a lovely email from his management team.

It said: “Dear Wayne, on behalf of Tony’s management office we wanted to thank you for your most lovely gesture to honor Tony and raise much needed funds for the Alzheimers Society in the UK.

“It is our hope that by announcing Tony’s diagnosis it will create greater advocacy and support around the world to develop better therapies and treatments for the condition and perhaps even a cure.

“Tony and his family pass along their good wishes to you and again, it is with much appreciation for your efforts."

So if all that is not motivation enough to keep me going through the long night of singing I have ahead of me I don’t know what is.

Suddenly the event is upon me, tomorrow at 6pm. I have prepared, trained and practised for this and there is nothing left to do but the event itself. It is going to be a long haul. From around midnight to 8 or 9am is going to be the hardest for me but I will keep going and keep in mind the end result.

If you would like to support me in my Swing-a-thon for Alzheimer’s you can donate at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Wayne-Devlin, or if you’re out and about for your daily exercise please pass by and give me a wave. I will have a collection box with me for if any of you are in a position to make a donation.

It all takes place at Mulino restaurant on Primrose Avenue in Urmston. I will be in the glass-fronted extension at the side of the restaurant.

I love the power that music has and I hope I can use this power to do some good.