ROB Hayes is a fundraising local singer and songwriter.

Born and raised in Basingstoke, he was obsessed with film and theatre in his teenage years and later on began studying The Hampshire Foundation Course in Theatre at Queen Mary’s College, performing with theatre workshops and amateur groups.

During this time, he began learning guitar and started writing songs.

He booked his first gig before he could really play anything, to have something to aim for.

Rob has consistently raised money for good causes through music. He has performed charitable lunchtime sets in The Tea Bar, in Basingstoke, and is a resident performer there.

South Ham resident Rob has raised money for the Hope for Jayden appeal, Basingstoke’s Camrose Centre – the drop-in centre for the homeless and vulnerable in Church Square – and recently participated in Oxfam’s Oxjam.

1. Who was your childhood hero and why? Charlie Chaplin. My dad introduced me to his films at a very young age and as I learned more about Chaplin the person, I developed great admiration for how hard he worked and what he achieved.

2. What is your most precious possession, and why? My first, full-size, acoustic guitar. My parents bought it for me in Blackpool and I would never part with it. I actually keep it at my parents’ house.

3. What was the first record/CD you bought? Do the Bartman by Bart Simpson.

4. What is the radio/television show you hate to miss? I don’t actually watch TV so anything I do watch is on DVD. I did start watching Sherlock recently, which I really enjoyed.

5. What is your favourite film? Can I choose two? Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and City Lights.

6. What is your pet hate? Condescension.

 7. What are you reading at the moment? The Unreliable Life of Harry the Valet: The Great Victorian Jewel Thief by Duncan Hamilton.

8. If you were choosing a last meal, what would it be? Beef Wellington and a jar of mayonnaise.

9. If you could meet anyone from history, who would it be? It’s a close call between Maharish Mahesh Yogi and Bill Murray.

10. If you had a time machine, where would it take you? I’d say a couple of hundred years into the future – but I’d want a good look out the window first to make sure it was safe to get out.

11. If you were stranded on a desert island, what luxury would you choose to have with you? Can I have a dog? I’m not even sure that would fall in to the “luxury” category. If I can’t have any kind of pet, then it’ll have to be the guitar.

12. What sports team do you support? Spurs.

13. What was your first job? I made cups of tea on the geriatric ward at the hospital. I actually got paid to make tea and chat to people.

14. If you could take over someone’s job for the day, whose job would you choose? Any job where I can make tea and chat to people.

15. What worries you the most? Time passing by too quickly.

16. What is your proudest moment? An incident which occurred during my time working in care.

17. What would you like your epitaph to be? He was ready!

18. What’s your guilty pleasure? Chips and curry sauce.

19. What one thing could change society for the better? Political education.

20. What three words best describe you? Friendly, focused, frustrating.