Bedlington dad in charity performance

Posted by The Journal on Nov 28, 08 02:56 PM in News

Doting dad Edward Lennie will be fighting back tears tomorrow when he performs at a plush ball on Tyneside.

He will be performing the self-penned Just Like An Angel at the Mistletoe Ball at the Hilton Hotel in Gateshead - a moving tribute to his son Sonny, 10, who has cerebral palsy.

The ball is raising funds for the Percy Hedley special school in North Tyneside, of which Sonny is a pupil.

"Although Just Like an Angel was written for Sonny, it has been so openly embraced by Percy Hedley because the journey through the lyrics resonates with every parent of a child with special needs," says Edward, of Bedlington.

"From the initial fear and disbelief, through to the acceptance and ultimately the realisation that we have received a gift in the form of our special children.

"This, in my experience, has been the emotional journey of every parent I have encountered in a similar position and this song is for them.

"Needless to say, this is why there is such support from within the school to get the track some airplay and hopefully a release on a local scale.

"There are many families out there that have been through the same as we have and this is their story too.

"I just hope I can hold it together on Saturday night - it is very emotional for me."

Sonny himself has indicated he loves the song, and Edward is now keeping his fingers crossed the song will be taken up by someone for a commercial release.

Last month Edward organised a charity night featuring performances by stars of ITV1's Britain's Got Talent and local bands in aid of The Percy Hedley Foundation, which supports people with disabilities from across the North East. Entertainers, at the event at The Lancastrian Suite in Dunston, included dance duo Signature, martial arts team Strike, Tyneside trio Irresistible, Legends of Swing and inclusive band MiXiT.

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