A SELF-proclaimed "recycled teenager" has raised thousands of pounds for charity by busking on the streets with his saxophone.

Henry Forman, 75, has been playing the instrument since he was 14 and has performed with some notable names from the London jazz scene of the 1950s.

Following a quadruple heart bypass five years ago Henry was told by his surgeon he would not be able to play his beloved saxophone again.

But he defied the odds and now busks in Woodford Green, Loughton and Epping to raise money for the Royal Marsden after his wife Cynthia died there 11 years ago.

"I send them a cheque every couple of months. If the weather is good then they get a big cheque," he said.

"But I can't play in the cold weather because your hands freeze and you play all the wrong notes."

The grandfather-of-five, of Southend Road, Woodford Green, played with the Joe Daniel's Jazz Band but was kicked out when they found out he was not yet 18.

He went on to play alongside big band luminaries Chris Rawlings and Ken Mackintosh and did a stint with the BBC Showband, regularly playing on the radio.

Henry stopped playing professionally when his eldest son was born in 1962.

"When the children started coming along I had to find a career which paid a little better than playing music, so I could support them," he said.

Since then Henry has enjoyed a colourful professional life which has included being a clown, a rag trader and a toast master.

Dennis Woods, 77, of Churchfields, Woodford Green is an admirer of Henry’s music.

He said: "His playing is absolutely brilliant, absolutely fantastic.

"The reason I like listening is because I can reminisce to the music. He plays so well you can hear the words and raising money for the Royal Marsden is wonderful.

"I cannot praise him enough."

Amanda Heaton Community Fundraising and Development Manager at The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity said: "I think this is a lovely way to raise funds for The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity as his musical endeavours not only raises funds for our charity but brings pleasure to all those who hear him.

This fundraising initiative is music to my ears."

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