Lyra’s song...for brain tumour charity
A GIRL diagnosed with a brain tumour when she was a baby has released a charity single to help find a cure for the condition.
Lyra Cole, six, has recorded When A Child Is Born to raise money for Brain Tumour Research.
She was just five months old when she had a tumour the size of an orange successfully removed.
Within months Lyra, of Highbridge in Somerset, was struggling to see and underwent a second procedure a year later which restored her sight.
Now, with the help of her aunt Jessie Hawkes, Lyra has recorded the single and made a video.
Money from the sale of the single will go to Brain Tumour Research. The family has also set up a Facebook fundraiser for the charity.
Jessie, the creative director of a media company, said: “Lyra really is a superstar, she loves to perform and has a beautiful voice.
“We chose the track When A Child Is Born because I think it will really resonate with people. I hope that when they listen and see the video they will think about everything Lyra has been through and make a donation.”
Lyra said: “I really hope the song makes it into the Christmas charts. That would be a dream come true.”
It was a hit for Johnny Mathis in 1976 but Lyra was inspired by Sir Cliff Richard’s version.
Lyra’s tumour was a low-grade choroid plexus papilloma. Research taking place at the Brain Tumour Research Centre at Queen Mary University of London is looking at
whether anti-inflammatory drugs could provide treatment options for some subgroups of this tumour type.
Low-grade tumours are also the subject of research work at the charity’s centre in Plymouth.
To listen to Lyra’s Christmas single and watch the video visit www. braintumourresearch.org/lyra-cole
SINGERS in the race for the coveted Christmas No 1 chart spot include a six-year-old who has an inspirational story to tell. Lyra Cole underwent emergency surgery when she was just five months old. A tumour the size of an orange was removed and a second procedure restored her eyesight.
Now she has recorded When A Child Is Born to raise funds for Brain Tumour Research. Her talent, achievement and drive will inspire other young people who face major health issues, and her example should spur policymakers to ensure that scientists working to devise life-saving treatments have the resources they need.
In every sense, her voice should be heard.