07/10/2026
âIt was deeply moving seeing Macmillan care for mum first-hand. And the care hasnât stopped there.â
Dame Penelope Keith had an infectiously positive attitude towards life, and this did not change after her cancer diagnosis.
It inspired her son, singer-songwriter Paul Timson, whose musical alter ego is Stanley Bloom - to write the song âKeep Smilingâ. He later added bagpipes from Highland neighbour the Hairy Piper, Ali Duff. An early guitar âdemoâ of which she got to hear and give her blessing to shortly before her death in June this year, aged 86.
âWhen my mum became ill we gathered as a family at my parentâs home. She never lost her smile and her positive outlook remained unwavering right to the end.
âAs a family we are all grateful to Macmillan for the support they offered. Coming into our lives in mumâs last four weeks as such a positive force, the Macmillan nurses enabled my mum to live out her life at home and they were brilliant.
âIt was strange for all of us and we all struggled at times with the situation, but the energy from Macmillan was amazing.
âThey arrived with such a glow, making two visits a day and did all the things we were no longer able to do and more.
âThey constantly reminded us they were available anytime of day or night if we needed them - on a couple of occasions in the night we did.
âMy parents were together for 50 years and dad is 82 now so support is vital, but really it is important for all of us.
âMacmillan are there as long as you need them; whether family members are still requiring advice and other support after three days, three weeks or three years.
âMy mum not being here is still very new, and you are very up and down. My young daughters have lost their grandma who they adored and that has been a shock.
âMacmillan has been amazing. Thatâs why I wanted to do something, to give back and this single was the perfect way to do this and honour my mum.â
Follow the link to download the Keep Smiling charity track:
https://stanleybloom.ffm.to/keep-smiling
