Fairytale day for cancer patient Lily
IT was a fairytale come true when schoolgirl Lily Douglas came face to face with her favourite dancers.
Lily is the first revealed winner of Scottish Ballet’s Make A Wish campaign and was nominated for her brave battle with cancer.
Ballet fan Lily was surprised by the company’s Principal dancers who revealed that her dream of dancing with the company, taking a backstage tour, and watching Cinderella would come true.
The 11-year-old is undergoing treatment for childhood cancer Ewing’s Sarcoma and was put forward for the treat by a family friend.
Thinking she was attending a workshop at Glasgow’s Theatre Royal, Principal dancers Bethany Kingsley-Garner, Constance Devernay and Sophie Martin surprised her and announced that she would, in fact, be welcomed to watch the company take their morning class, before being invited to join them on stage.
Lily’s mother Jane said: “I can’t believe Lily’s wish was chosen.
“When I found out, I was over the moon; it was so difficult to keep the news a secret, but the surprise was worth it.
“From the minute we arrived, we were made to feel so welcome by Scottish Ballet and it was an incredible experience.
“Lily had an amazing day, and she loved being part of the company.”
Dame Darcey Bussell greeted Lily with a special video message before she was taken on an exclusive backstage tour to the dancers’ dressing rooms, and to see the sets, costumes and props.
On stage, Principal dancer Christopher Harrison, dressed as The Prince, presented Lily with her own custom, bejewelled pointe shoe, before she and her family and friends took to their seats to watch the magical performance of Christopher Hampson’s Cinderella.
As part of the submission, Lily’s wish-maker Mhairi Dunn said: “I have had the pleasure of meeting Lily only once, but her story has stuck with me and touched my heart.
“This little girl deserves the world and as much light in her life as we can give her.”
More than 400 wishes were submitted to Scottish Ballet’s Make a Wish campaign, with more than 100,000 votes cast by the general public.
As told in the Evening Times in November, the top 50 were presented to a judging panel including Dame Darcey Bussell, Susan Calman, Fred MacAulay, Janice Forsyth, Christopher Hampson and Principal Dancer Christopher Harrison.
Full details of the five wishes will be announced on Thursday, January 31.
Lily’s was chosen as the first wish alongside a submission for a fellow ballet lover, Rosie Mitchell, aged seven, who is similarly being treated for cancer.
A surprise visit to Rosie’s dance school took place in Greenock to share with her that her wish had been chosen.
Dame Darcey Bussell, champion of the first wish, said: “I am delighted that Scottish Ballet were able to make this wish come true for Lily.”
The five wishes will take place in Scotland throughout 2019 as part of Scottish Ballet’s 50th anniversary year.