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Grieving Schoolgirl Dedicates BBC Children in Need Performance to Late Father
14 Nov
Summary
- 11-year-old Emily to sing live on BBC Children in Need
- Dedicating performance to father who died of liver cancer 2 years ago
- Received bereavement counseling from charity Nelson's Journey
In November 2025, a 13-year-old schoolgirl named Emily from Bradwell, Norfolk will take the stage as part of the BBC Children in Need choir. Emily's performance will be a poignant tribute to her late father, Andy, who died just two years ago at the age of 43 after a sudden liver cancer diagnosis.
Emily's family had little time to prepare for the devastating loss. Her mother, Rachel, explains that the cancer was too advanced by the time it was diagnosed, and Andy passed away within days. The sudden tragedy left a profound impact on Emily, who was just 11 years old at the time. "She didn't want to know - it was just too painful," Rachel recalls.
To help Emily cope with her grief, the family turned to the charity Nelson's Journey, which provides bereavement counseling for children. Emily has been working with a support worker, Amy Sale, who has helped her find healthy ways to process her emotions, from "lonely, sad, angry" to a "kind of happy grieving in a positive way."
