Latest news with #DancingforJoules
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Health
- Daily Record
Couple's daughter seemed off-balance on holiday - seven months later she was dead
Little 'dancing queen' Joules, 6, tragically passed away. The loss of a child is the most dreadful nightmare for any parent, a reality that Joe Smith and his wife Elisha face every day. Despite grappling with the loss of their cherished 'dancing queen' daughter Joules less than a year ago, the couple have channelled their sorrow into an incredible resolve to assist others. Motivated by their six-year-old's courage and kindness, they founded A Touch of Joules, a not-for-profit organisation aimed at supporting families whose children are battling life-limiting or terminal illnesses. So far, tens of thousands of pounds have been raised in memory of their daughter. Joe now hopes that their Pride of Britain nomination will help spread Joules' story further and assist even more children, reports the Mirror. "Our goal is to give back to others. She had a profound impact on so many lives and we want to continue that - we're committed to helping other families who find themselves in the same situation as we were," says Joe, who lives with Elisha in Kent. "We're overjoyed with the nomination but quite taken aback as well. "People say we've shown bravery but we haven't. If we've shown strength it's because we drew our strength from Joules. We still do." Joules, described by Joe as an 'extraordinary' little girl who loved dancing and nature, was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour last May. The family had been enjoying a break at Center Parcs when they noticed their daughter's balance was 'a bit off'. Worried, they sought medical advice but initial examinations showed nothing amiss. Nevertheless, a subsequent CT scan identified a mass on her brain. The youngster was then sent to King's College Hospital in London for an MRI. It was there that doctors delivered the heartbreaking news she had a highly aggressive form of brain tumour known as a DIPG. It was both inoperable and incurable. "Within a split second our whole world turned upside down; our world collapsed. It's the worst news any parent can have," Joe recalls. Sent to the Royal Marsden Hospital in Surrey she started radiotherapy treatment to help with symptoms. She also started creating TikTok dance videos with her dad. "The therapy meant we had four months of her being back to herself so we wanted to raise awareness of childhood cancer," he explains. "Joules was dancing almost as soon as she could walk so we went on TikTok; it was a bit of silliness really but the videos just took off; soon we were gaining millions of views." Before long the Dancing for Joules trend had spread worldwide with supporters creating their own routines. Even dance sensations and Britain's Got Talent winners Diversity took part. "At one point we were trending just under Donald Trump!" laughs Joe. Then the family hit on the idea of writing a book about Joules and her love of dance with the aim of spreading positivity. Collaborating with author Sally Scott, and with contributions from Joules herself, The Girl Who Loves to Dance centres on the happiness dancing brings to the main character. Showcasing a collection of animal companions named by Joules, it also features her own handwriting on a front cover created in her beloved shade of pink. Joules tragically succumbed to her cancer battle in December 2024. Her book was shared at her funeral service. So far, the Touch of Joules CIC has generated over £50,000 to support other families, carers and The Royal Marsden, who receive all book profits. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "Joules did not know she was poorly; she knew she had headaches and went to hospital but we tried never to cry in front of her; we didn't want her to be scared," reflects Joe. "People say; 'oh, you two are amazing' but we had no choice. We couldn't give up. "We had an amazing seven months with her. We knew we had to make memories and thanks to our brilliant support network that's what we did. "But we know there are people who just don't have that same support. "That's why we have to give back in her memory. It might be something as simple as buying a wheelchair. Or organising a break away somewhere. Or supporting siblings or helping mums and dads get to and from appointments with the kids. "It may seem like simple stuff but it's hugely important." Equally vital is preserving Joules' legacy. "She was the kindest, most caring little soul. I'm so proud of what she is achieving even though she isn't here." To make a donation, please visit
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Health
- Daily Mirror
'My daughter, 6, seemed off-balance on holiday - 7 months later she was dead'
Joules Smith was just six when she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. Inspired by her battle, her grieving parents have launched a fundraising campaign to help other families caring for terminally ill children The death of a child is every parents' worst nightmare but it's one Joe Smith and his wife Elisha live through every day. Yet despite still coming to terms with the loss less than a year ago of their beloved 'dancing queen' daughter Joules, the couple have channelled their grief into an extraordinary determination to help others. Inspired by the six-year-old's strength and kindness, they established A Touch of Joules, a not-for-profit company to help and support other families whose children have life-limiting or terminal illnesses. To date, tens of thousands of pounds have been raised in their daughter's memory. Now, Joe hopes their Pride of Britain nomination will amplify Joules' story - and help even more children. 'Our aim is to give back to others. She touched the lives of so many people and we want to continue that - we're determined to help other families who are in the same situation as we were,' says Joe who lives with Elisha in Kent. 'We're thrilled with the nomination but quite shocked as well. 'People say we've been brave but we're not. If we've been strong it's because we got our strength from Joules. We still do.' Joules, who Joe describes as an 'extraordinary' little girl who adored dancing and nature, was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour last May. The family had been on a break to Center Parcs when her parents noticed their daughter's balance was 'a bit off'. Concerned, they consulted doctors but initial tests revealed nothing wrong. However, a later CT scan pinpointed a mass on her brain. The little girl was then referred to King's College Hospital in London for an MRI. It was here where medics broke the devastating news she had a highly aggressive form of brain tumour known as a DIPG. It was both inoperable and incurable. 'Within a split second our whole world turned upside down; our world collapsed. It's the worst news any parent can have,' Joe remembers. Referred to the Royal Marsden Hospital in Surrey she began radiotherapy treatment to help with symptoms. She also began making TikTok dance videos with her dad. 'The therapy meant we had four months of her being back to herself so we wanted to raise awareness of childhood cancer,' he says. 'Joules was dancing almost as soon as she could walk so we went on TikTok; it was a bit of silliness really but the videos just took off; soon we were gaining millions of views.' Before long the Dancing for Joules trend had spread worldwide with fans creating their own routines. Even dance sensations and Britain's Got Talent winners Diversity took part. 'At one point we were trending just under Donald Trump!' laughs Joe. Next the family hit on the idea of writing a book about Joules and her love of dance with the aim of spreading positivity. Working with an author Sally Scott, and with input from Joules herself, The Girl Who Loves to Dance focuses on the joy dancing brings the main character. Featuring a host of animal friends named by Joules, it also has her handwriting on a front cover designed in her favourite colour of pink. Joules finally lost her battle with cancer in December 2024. Her book was read at her funeral. To date, the Touch of Joules CIC has raised more than £50,000 to help other families, caregivers and for The Royal Marsden to whom all book proceeds go. 'Joules did not know she was poorly; she knew she had headaches and went to hospital but we tried never to cry in front of her; we didn't want her to be scared,' reflects Joe. 'People say; 'oh, you two are amazing' but we had no choice. We couldn't give up.' 'We had an amazing seven months with her. We knew we had to make memories and thanks to our brilliant support network that's what we did. 'But we know there are people who just don't have that same support. 'That's why we have to give back in her memory. It might be something as simple as buying a wheelchair. Or organising a break away somewhere. Or supporting siblings or helping mums and dads get to and from appointments with the kids. 'It may seem like simple stuff but it's hugely important.' As is keeping the memory of Joules alive. 'She was the kindest, most caring little soul. I'm so proud of what she is achieving even though she isn't here.' The Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards with P&O Cruises honour the nation's unsung heroes, with the star-studded celebration screened every year on ITV.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Athletic Bilbao donate shirts for Non-League Day
A top division Spanish club has donated football shirts to two teams in the South East in celebration of Non-League Day. Athletic Bilbao, who sit fourth in La Liga, have sent one men's jersey and one women's jersey to Kent side Sheppey United and West Sussex side Steyning Town. The shirts are to be part of a raffle at their respective fixtures on Non-League Day. The celebration, who first took place in 2010, encourages fans of Premier League or English Football League teams to attend their local football club. The day traditionally takes place during the international break, when the top two divisions of English football do not have matches scheduled. All three sides play in red and white stripes. Lee Allen, interim co-vice chairman of Sheppey United, said: "We would like to thank Athletic Bilbao for not only finding the time to reach out to us, but also their interest in our club and of course their generous offer. "Non-League Day is very important as it helps raise our profile and gives us an opportunity to welcome supporters from other sides, like the Premier League." The funds Sheppey United generate will be donated to the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity in honour of a local six-year-old girl named Joules, who recently passed away after she was diagnosed with an incurable illness. Mr Allen added: "Joules had the nation dancing with the Dancing for Joules campaign that had the whole nation filming various dance videos, including celebrities and us." Steyning Town chairman Paul Hart said: "The fantastic support and link up with Athletic Bilbao for Non-League Day will hopefully really benefit the clubs and encourage people to come to watch a game of football that they may not usually attend. "We both share the same important identity of wearing red/white stripes as our home shirts and we will auction off the tops for a local charity, which we will be doing on the day of the game. "Like all non-league clubs, ours is at the heart of the local community and run by dedicated volunteers who give up their time & effort to make sure everything runs smoothly." In 2023, Athletic Bilbao offered its members free tickets and a bespoke travel package to London to watch a fixture between Dulwich Hamlet and Oxford City. Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Spanish giants make trip as part of Non-League Day Non-League Day back after Covid hiatus Sheppey United Steyning Town
