IS that your real name or is it an alias? Southampton-born singer songwriter Lee Desty was once jokingly asked that question by a top BBC TV executive - an exchange he never forgot.

It inspired the title of his latest album of 17 original folk pop songs Usual Alias, which is out now on CD and music streaming services.

Album sales have so far boosted The Murray Parish Trust #2MillionSteps appeal to help build a new children’s emergency and trauma department at Southampton General Hospital to the tune of more than £500.

A former Daily Echo journalist and award winning Editor of BBC South Today , Lee has enjoyed the response to his new album from radio listeners across the world, particularly in the US & Canada. One of his compositions Completely Yours, was a finalist in the Hollywood USA Song Contest in 2015.

A life long Saints fan of over 52 years and still a season ticket holder at St Mary’s , Lee says musical influences include Paul Simon, Cat Stevens , Joni Mitchell , Nick Drake , Al Stewart and Martyn Joseph ...but says he also enjoys Indie folk stars like Bon Iver and Damien Rice.

Based in Totton, Lee has so far raised close to £500 for the local charity and hopes to raise more : “ It’s been a lot of fun helping the Murray Parish Trust via the album and I know there are other hospital charities in Southampton wonderful things for the new children’s A &E. I’m really not keen on running marathons so I thought this was a better way of raising money.”

If you want to donate to Lee’s fundraising you can do so via https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/leedesty1 or contact him via his web site http://www.leedesty.co.uk to get a copy of his CD in exchange for £5 donation to the charity.

. “ I seem to have a lot of fans in Idaho , South Carolina and Missouri in the US for some reason,” said Lee . “ I guess that’s down to the mysteries of the internet & music streaming. I’ve also got fans in South Africa , Hong Kong and Greece . Some of those have contributed to my Southampton hospital charity fundraising which is a bit special .”