Watch heartbreaking moment Chesterfield teenager sings to his mum for final time

A Chesterfield teenager has described the moment he sang to his terminally-ill mum for the final time.
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Fourteen-year-old Billy Devine says the thought of the performance in the grounds of Ashgate Hospice ‘still gives him goosebumps’.

His mum, Jane Devine, was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2019 and was very poorly by September this year when Billy decided he and his friend Ellie Marie Scott would sing a rendition of Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s Shallow.

Billy Devine, aged three, and his mum always shared a special bond.Billy Devine, aged three, and his mum always shared a special bond.
Billy Devine, aged three, and his mum always shared a special bond.

Jane sadly died just a few days later.

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Billy said: “I love to sing, and my mum always loved to hear me sing, so I thought it would be the perfect surprise to sing her favourite song whilst she was staying at Ashgate.

“It felt like the performance of a lifetime. I’ll never forget the look on my mum’s face as she watched from the window of her room. Just remembering it now gives me goosebumps.”

Since his mum’s diagnosis, Billy and his family, from Newbold, have raised £4,000 for Ashgate Hospicecare through a variety of fundraisers including Care for a Cuppa coffee mornings, bingo nights and head shaving.

Billy Devine and his mum Jane promoting their fundraising efforts for Ashgate Hospicecare.Billy Devine and his mum Jane promoting their fundraising efforts for Ashgate Hospicecare.
Billy Devine and his mum Jane promoting their fundraising efforts for Ashgate Hospicecare.

“Mum was such a caring person, she spent most of her life looking after other people and spending time with her family," Billy said.

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"She was such a strong and positive person to be around, even after she was diagnosed, she was determined to face the cancer head-on.

“Unfortunately, no matter how hard mum fought, this wasn’t going to be a battle she could win. That’s when she went to Ashgate Hospicecare and I can honestly say that the care she received was amazing, it is a very welcoming and comforting place, not just for mum but for the whole family.

“I am incredibly grateful to the hospice for helping us organise this special moment, truly one none of us will ever forget.

“It has been a real honour to raise money for Ashgate Hospicecare and to be able to repay some of the kindness they showed to our family when we needed it most.”

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Ashgate Hospicecare’s Winter Crisis Appeal has been launched to plug a £2.4 million gap in revenue caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

To help, visit www.ashgatehospicecare.org.uk/winter-crisis-appeal/ or call 01246 567250.

In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.