Lola's Story

On the 6th March 2016, my whole world changed. I was just 11 years old when my dad killed himself. At an age when life should have felt simple, I was trying to understand a loss that would shape everything that followed.

Ten years later, I'm now 21, and I've lived a decade that my dad never got to see. Ten years of milestones, growing up, and learning how to live in a world he isn't part of - while holding on to the relationship we shared and the love that shaped who I am today.

Why Pete's Dragons?

Thanks to Pete's Dragons, I have never been alone in this journey. After losing my dad, there was a knock at the door - and with it came support, understanding, and compassion. From those early days through to now, Pete's Dragons have been there consistently to support me as I navigate life after suicide loss.

They supported me first as a child, trying to make sense of something far too big to understand, and they’ve continued to support me as I’ve grown into adulthood. Through counselling, family days, Christmas hampers, residential trips, time spent with others who truly understood, and simply being there when things felt heavy, they helped me develop coping strategies that I still rely on.

Quite simply, their support has been fundamental to my survival and to the person I am today.

That’s why giving back to Pete’s Dragons has always mattered so much to me. Over the years, I’ve been involved in various fundraising efforts for the charity and this year, as I mark ten years since my world turned upside down, I wanted to do something in Dad's memory.

The Event...

On 7th March, I’ll be taking on a 24-hour karaoke challenge, live from 7pm on 7th to 7pm on the 8th, to raise money for Pete’s Dragons and the vital support they provide to people after suicide loss.

It will be hosted at The Kensham Club in Bradninch, with the bar open from 7pm - 3am, and then 9am onwards. The event will also be livestreamed on social media… I don’t know why I agreed to that.

The challenge is simple: I’ll be singing for 50 minutes of every hour, with the remaining 10 minutes reserved for a bathroom break, a spoonful of honey, questioning my life choices, and whatever feels necessary to make the next 50 minutes seem achievable.

If you know me, you know I can’t sing. I may come across as confident, but I’m really not. And, to be honest, I’m absolutely shitting it. But, music was a big part of my dad’s life, and combined with community, it's what has carried me through the last ten years. This felt like the right way to combine the two, in loving memory of Colin McCormick.

Every £5 donated = 1 song request.

So please, add your song(s) to your donation, or drop me a message. If you’re joining us in person at the Kensham Club at any point, there will be collection buckets raising funds for Pete’s Dragons, along with a song request box - simply pop in a £5 donation per song and I’ll do my best to deliver (no promises on quality).

I know times are tough and donations aren’t always possible, so whether you’re watching online, coming along in person, or cheering me on from afar, any and all support is appreciated. And if you are able to donate, big or small, every contribution genuinely makes a difference.

If you’re feeling particularly brave and would like to commit to an hour-long karaoke slot with me, especially during the early hours of the morning or deep into Sunday when I’m likely to be struggling, I’d love to hear from you. If you’re also happy to promote your slot and help raise as much money as possible beforehand, please get in touch.

Thank you for being part of this and for helping support Pete’s Dragons 🎤💚