A SELF-CONFESSED country music addict, from East Preston is putting something back into the community, after years of pain.
Joe Kelly, who suffers from complex regional pain syndrome, leaving him with chronic pain in his neck, embarked on a song-writing project as therapy and is now donating money from the sale of his group's first CD to the East Preston Festival Committee.
He said: "I have suffered with the condition since November, 2004, and after some early, successful treatments, the pain returned with a vengeance. Everyday life became more and more debilitating, leaving me housebound and reliant on my wife, Jane.
"It was the lowest point in my life."
Since then, he has had major surgery to his spine, having two discs replaced, and two spinal fusions.
He added that it was a pain managment course at the Real Health Institute in London which turned his life around.
"It was here that I realised that I had self-worth, and now I want to give something back."
His group, Kelly, Stacey and Smith, also starring friends Kevin Stacey and Graham Smith, as well as Joe's son Thomas, have recorded Put Your Trust in Me, which is available at Final Touch, Sea Road, and R and J Leggett, The Parade, both in East Preston.
It is priced at £5 and £2 from each sale will go to the festival committee.
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