As part of volunteering for Shine Radio, we meet lots of very interesting people – sometimes outside of the Petersphere.

Jo Gray interviewed local musician Richard ‘Ricky’ Palmer at the Portsmouth leg of the Baton of Hope relay. He's a regular on The Local Showcase & was one of the baton bearers.

Today, on World Mental Health Day, Richard has released a reinterpreted cover version of ‘You’ve got a friend’.  All proceeds will be donated to a local mental health charity. Jo was invited to the making of the music video. Always on the rove for interesting stories she couldn’t resist recording a chat with participant Nikki Coles – a former lady mayoress, who shares an insight into her public duty.

What’s apparent is how volunteering & helping others is good for your own mental health too.

We've shared a link to Ricky's single on our website.