A week after releasing his first single, Central Southland musician Alex Dykes has opted to donate all of the proceeds from a Dunedin concert on Friday night to the Southland Charity Hospital.

The concert, at Dunedin’s Inch Bar, was the first public performance of Alex Dykes' (19) first single “The Alcoholic’s Waltz”. A total of $250 was raised.

Dykes said he was happy to pass on the proceeds to the proposed facility because he knew what it would mean to people in this region.

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“The Charity Hospital is going to be such a crucial facility for our province. I feel honoured to be able to do my bit in helping raise some funds," he said.

"I’m thrilled to think that I can use my music to help support the Charitable Hospital in this way.”

Dykes has been performing and writing music since he attended Limehills Primary School, but it wasn’t until he won the Solo Vocalist section at Southland Rock Quest in 2017 that he gained the confidence to pursue his music dream seriously.

He is currently studying political studies at Otago University, but says his family links with Central Southland and his admiration for what local man, the late Blair and his courageous partner Melissa Vining, have done to raise awareness around improving local health services has been remarkable.

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“I really admire what they have done and I’m happy to do my bit to help. To have a hospital like this is Southland will be life-changing for so many people.”

Melissa Vining had communicated her thanks to Dykes for his efforts and he said he had been proud to wear a commemorative Blair Vining rugby jersey at his show.

“It’s great to think that music and rugby can bring people together to achieve positive things.”

Dykes said more than 1000 people had listened to his new song on Spotify, since it was launched a week ago.