'My husband was told I had a week to live'

Doctors initially thought Harriet Ward was "under stress" before a scan revealed a large tumour

A singer who was told she only had a week to live has recorded an album with other local artists to raise money for the hospital that treated her.

Harriet Annabelle Ward, from Bristol, underwent a 14-hour brain tumour operation in 2021.

"They did MRIs and they phoned my husband, and they said 'she has a week left to live'. At that point I was all over the place," she said.

But after the surgery she was inspired to start singing again and got 22 artists from across the city to "donate a track" to raise money for brain tumour research at Southmead Hospital.

Ms Ward said the album - named Bristol Music World 2024 - was her way of saying "thank you" to the hospital staff.

The LP includes artwork by graffiti artist Inkie and tracks donated by artists including Sophia May, Mary Mina, Jethro 'Alonestar' Sheeran and Jah Garvey, as well as Ms Ward, whose artist name is Harriet Annabelle.

The tumour was so large it pushed Ms Ward's brain to the right

The singer said that doctors at the hospital told her she had "10 to 15 years worth of brain tumour growth".

"There were lots of phases and events over those years that I can remember now that didn't really make sense," she added.

The tumour measured more than 7cm across and "surrounded" the whole left side of her head.

Ms Ward said she had felt herself "going downhill" prior to being diagnosed, but her GP thought it was down to stress.

"I wasn't thinking clearly. I had bloodshot eyes, ear infections, headaches," she said.

Ms Ward said the album, which features artists including Mary Mina (pictured), was "bringing a community back together"

She finally called 111 and told them her symptoms.

After calling her back she was picked up and taken to the BRI [Bristol Royal Infirmary] before she was "rushed over" to Southmead Hospital.

After the operation Ms Ward said she just felt as though she should sing again.

"I just loved everyone at the hospital so much and was so grateful and thankful to everyone," she added.

The singer said there was pressure on her brain cells from the tumour, which led to symptoms including headaches and ear infections

Ms Ward said she is still in recovery, but feels now is the time for her to say "thank you", adding that creating the record "has been from the heart".

"We have all these amazing musical events that are going on in the city. [So I thought] let's just pull a load of people together and make an amazing album," she said.

"I'm just over the moon because everyone's so kindly donated their track.

"I'll never be able to thank them enough."

Since then Ms Ward has been "flat out" promoting the album and launch party.

Bristol Music World 2024 will be launched at The Mount Without on 26 September, featuring live performances from 20 of the artists.

The full album is released on 1 October.