Families write songs in memory of children

Participating families said the lyrics reflected shared moments that "mean a lot"

Families supported by a children's hospice have created original songs in memory of their children or siblings who died.

Helen & Douglas House in Oxford has supported 10 bereaved families across Oxfordshire through the Keepsake Circle project.

This culminated in the launch of an album over the summer, created with the help of musician Kiki Deville and songwriter Angus Powell.

Two of the participating parents, Holly and Jason Coe, said the lyrics reflected shared moments that "mean a lot".

Part of Holly and Jason Coe's song lyrics for their daughter Jasmine are "little girl, you'll always shine"

Helen & Douglas House, which opened in 1982, is the world's first children's hospice and it provides both emotional and practical support for families for however long they need it.

In early 2023, it became the second UK hospice to join the Keepsake Circle, which Kiki Deville created after losing her son, Dexter.

She approached Mr Powell for help with the songwriting.

"There's a real stigma talking around child death and [...] Kiki is very strong in trying to break it," he said.

Charlie Mullin said losing her sister Rochelle meant losing her "best friend"

The Coes' daughter Jasmine died in 2015 at just five days old due to an internal stroke.

"I didn't cry, I just went completely numb and felt like that for quite some time," Mrs Coe said.

"For a child to pass before you is in the wrong order and it's only a sentiment that you can process if you're unfortunately in that position," her husband added.

Gill Mullin and her daughter Charlie lost their 13-year-old daughter and sibling Rochelle to kidney problems she had developed when she was nine.

She was born with complex needs, used a wheelchair and was non-verbal.

"When she passed away, it was like I lost my purpose even though I have two children," Mrs Mullin said.

Ms Mullin said that for her, it meant losing her "best friend".

Helen & Douglas House supports families with terminally ill children for however long they need

The songs contain lyrics such as "you're the brightest light of all, surround us where we go".

"Unless you know our story, the words probably won't make so much sense to you," Mrs Coe explained.

"But 'hold my finger, hold it tight' [refers to] what she did when we were in the ambulance coming back from [the hospice] to John Radcliffe hospital.

"It's things like that that mean a lot to us."

The songs that the families created are available for download and proceeds will go in support of the hospice.