Charity | Posted on December 18th, 2024 | return to news
Grieving teen writes fundraising song to honour her Nan
A Christmas song written by a teenage singer-songwriter is not only a touching tribute to her Nan, but it will raise funds for a Poole hospice.
Katie Russell, 19, a talented local singer-songwriter has turned grief into generosity with the release of a deeply personal song dedicated to her late grandmother who passed away at Forest Holme when Katie was just 11 years old.
‘A Christmas Song To My Nan’ captures the love, loss, and lasting impact that Katie’s Nan had in her life before she passed away.
Katie hopes her music will not only honour her Nan’s memory but also raise funds for Forest Holme in Poole, the local hospice that provided care and support to both her Nan and family during their most challenging times.
The 19-year-old has used music as a way to cope with the death of her Nan, especially as her neurodiversity impacted her grief, leading her to write songs as an outlet to help find a new perspective on life and build resilience.
“My Nan was my biggest supporter and my closest friend. Writing this song was my way of keeping her spirit alive and saying thank you for everything she taught me,” said Katie when speaking about her inspiration for ‘A Christmas Song To My Nan’.
She added: “The care and kindness we received from Forest Holme during her final days meant the world to us, and I wanted to give something back.”
The single was officially released on 16 December and is available on streaming platforms. Proceeds from the song will be donated directly to Forest Holme Hospice to support their ongoing work providing compassionate end-of-life care for patients and their families.
Hannah O’Hare, CEO at Forest Holme Hospice Charity, expressed gratitude for Katie’s efforts: “We are incredibly moved by Katie’s decision to honour her grandmother in such a powerful and creative way. She first played me the song when I interviewed her for our charity’s ‘Life & Loss’ podcast series and it was so moving. Her music will undoubtedly touch hearts while also raising vital funds to help us continue providing the care and support we were able to give to her Nan.”
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