A YOUNG boy from North Yorkshire who died from a debilitating neurological condition has inspired a world-famous musician to release a charity single.

Edward Lumb-Burgess died in 2005 at the age of 13, after a battle with a life-shortening condition, which saw him and his parents Dave Burgess and Jeannie Lumb spend a lot of time at Martin House Hospice.

After hearing Edward’s story, Nils Lofgren the singer-songwriter and former guitarist with the E Street Band decided to lend his guitar and vocals to a charity single recorded by Dave.

The idea came about after the hospice’s annual memorial service, when Jeannie asked Dave to sing one of her favourite songs, Four Strong Winds, by Neil Young.

Jeannie said: “For me the song is about how all life changes and moves on, how some things do change, but also how some things don’t. The physical may change but the memories remain, sometimes memories are all we have.”

The couple decided to record a version to raise money for the hospice, and emailed Nils Lofgren to ask for accompaniment on the track, and were stunned when he said he would be honoured to let Dave record a cover of his own song, Shine Silently.

Dave said: “It’s amazing that an American musician of such standing should support a Yorkshire charity, give his time and support so willingly. There’s nothing in it for him, apart from helping us out, and he hasn’t used if for publicity, just to help the cause.”

Dave and Jeannie were in the audience at York Barbican when Lofgren performed there last Friday, and he not only performed Shine Silently to close his set, but wished the couple an early happy anniversary before dedicating a song to them.

Jeannie said: “I wasn’t expecting that, but it was very nice though. Dave must have told him our anniversary is in August, so it’s a very nice thought.”

Proceeds from the CD are donated to Martin House Hospice and Cotlands, in South Africa, and Dave and Jeannie, from Boston Spa, near Wetherby, said they still couldn’t believe what had happened.

Dave said: “There have been times that it has felt that this wasn’t going to be completed, that it would have been possible that we just couldn’t do this.

“At these times it was Edward that kept me going and wanting to keep the project alive. Also Jeannie would say to me ‘You’re not going to have another chance to make a record with Nils Lofgren!’”

The single is available from record shops around York, including Red Cow Music in Goodramgate, Rebound Records in Gillygate, Café Concerto, the HMV stores at Monk’s Cross and Coney Street, or online at daveandnils.com