A MUSIC project that started life as a personal thank-you to a cancer charity has now raised more than £30,000.

Following his mother’s diagnosis with cancer in 2013, musician Martin Boulton convinced more than 100 artists from across the world to collaborate on a unique project to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Support.

Since then, ‘Touched’ – together with its sequel and accompanying remix albums – has raised more than £30,000 for the charity, which provides emotional, medical, financial and practical support to people affected by cancer.

“The reason I picked Macmillan was because of my mum’s own journey, I really wanted to do something to help them because they helped her so much,” said Martin, who lives in Letterston.

“I had never even thought about cancer before she was diagnosed, and then when it came crashing through my doors, all of a sudden every advert I saw, every article I read, seemed to be about it.”

Attracting huge stars like The Future Sound of London, 808 State, and Martin’s favourite band Plaid - all of whom gave tracks for free - Martin said people’s generosity had proven how wide-reaching the effects of cancer are.

“Everyone has been touched by it in some way, you’re very lucky if you haven’t been, I think that’s why people have been so happy to help,” he said.

Martin said his mum, who has now had the all-clear, is really proud of his achievements, even if the mix of ambient and electronic music isn’t to her tastes.

“I did try to do a remix of Michael Boulton for her, but it didn’t go too well,” he joked.

Sue Reece, fundraising manager for Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, said Martin was an ‘inspiration’.

As well as reaching the top one per cent of fundraisers on website Just Giving, and assembling a potentially world record-breaking album, the money Martin has raised will also help families across Pembrokeshire.

In addition to its team of four specialist nurses, a welfare and benefits advisor, and a new information and support service at Withybush hospital, last year Macmillan provided £27,854 in one-off patient grants to 90 local families.

These small grants, usually between £300 and £500, can be used to help in a number of ways, whether it’s a washing machine that needs replacing, or to cover fuel or heating costs in light of a loss in income.

Martin, whose mum used her grant to get a special swimsuit custom made, said it was incredible to see how much of a difference the money he has raised can make.

“Seeing it in those terms, I can’t put it into words really, it’s astonishing that something I’ve done that I’ve really enjoyed has helped so much,” he said.

Not content to rest at the £30,000 mark, Martin is releasing new music all the time under the Touched banner, and is also organising a live event at Theatr Gwaun on July 18.

For more information, and to book a ticket, visit www.facebook.com/touchedmusic.