Songwriter releases Horace memorial single for charity (From Times Series)

Songwriter releases North Finchley legend Horace White's memorial single for charity

2:15pm Tuesday 16th October 2012 in News By Chris Hewett

A songwriter who penned a memorial anthem for late Finchley legend Horace White has released the single to raise money for charity.

Robert Puzey, who has worked with artists including Billy Ocean and The Nolans, decided to sell downloads of the song on iTunes after it received nearly 6,000 hits on YouTube.

All profits from 'Horace of Finchley' will be donated to the Whittington Hospital, where the 54-year-old received treatment for diabetes before his sudden death last month.

Mr Puzey said: “It has been very popular and a few people said they wished they could download it.

“It just seemed a natural progression to put it on iTunes and raise some money for the Whittington Hospital.”

Former High Barnet resident Mr Puzey remembers seeing Horace on the streets of North Finchley some 20 years ago.

The 59-year-old would often chat to the popular figure when visiting the area and said he was so saddened by the news of his death that he felt compelled to write a song.

He said: “I just sat down at my computer with my trusty guitar and it was so nice - it just came to me. It was pure inspiration. I felt so sad and it just came out.

“It was amazing to see the reaction online. It got around a bit and everyone seems to like it.”

Mr Puzey is unsure how many songs have been sold so far but says he will be able to get a figure from the download site in about two months time.

A petition to have a bench installed in Horace’s memory has gathered nearly 6,000 web signatures and Mr Puzey, who now lives in Baldock, believes the tribute is a great idea.

He added: “I think it would be amazing if there was one. It is a must – he was such a big local character.”