THREE generations of a musical family have taken to the recording studio to raise vital funds for an African orphanage.

Epping Green Chapel minister Reverend Paul Walker and wife Jane released their charity album Gratitude on Sunday - and have already raised £600 for their cause, the orphanage at the Hawane Farm project in Swaziland.

The couple spent a year working at the site, which also runs a hospice, addiction centre and women's refuge, from 2009 to 2010.

They decided to produce the album with funds they had set aside for a planned return mission to the project this year.

"I've been playing the guitar and singing for, oh, hundreds of years," said midwife Mrs Walker, 53.

"People over the last few years have been saying I should make a CD and I never got around to it.

"It's a thank you to God and then to the people of Swaziland to raise money for the ongoing work there."

Rev and Mrs Walker were joined in the studio by sons Stephen and Peter and daughter-in-law Bethan, along with Jane's twin sister Susan Packer, niece Laura and 79-year-old dad Tony Perry on drums.

The album includes covers of popular ballads by Bob Dylan, Katherine Jenkins and Luther Vandross, along with Christian songs

"It was great. It could have just been me but I thought it would be really nice to get other people involved," added Jane.

  • For more information about the charity or about purchasing CDs, which cost £7.50 each, visit the Homestead Trust website, email thehomesteadtrust@gmail.com or call Paul on 07769 585411.