Bella recognised as a young hero

An inspirational teenager was recognised at The Sun’s Who Cares Wins health awards for her incredible fundraising efforts and for supporting others with grief.

Bella Field, 14, from Woodford Green has raised a staggering £115,000 for Haven House. The hospice helped her family after her sister Molly died of an inoperable brain tumour aged eight.

Bella began her fundraising efforts for Haven House at the age of just six with an Easter party. She has since held cabaret nights, quizzes, summer balls, discos and events at school.

The Woodbridge High School pupil is also part of Buddies – a support group at the hospice for the siblings of children with life-limiting illnesses or those who have experienced bereavement. The group is an opportunity to have fun together but most importantly, children are able to discuss common fears, joys and concerns and for some, share their feelings around grief.

Bella was nominated in the Young Hero category by her friend Sophia. The girls were bought together through a counsellor at Haven House after both experiencing the similar tragedy of losing their elder siblings.

On Tuesday evening the pair attended the star-studded awards evening, which celebrated all of the nominees from the NHS, charity and health sectors.

Sophia, 14, said,

Bella has been through so much herself, and not only has she had to deal with her own grief but also been there to help me. She has always encouraged me to share my sister Isabelle's memory alive, instead of being reserved and worried to drag others down with my tragedy.

The Sun’s Who Cares Wins awards celebrates individuals who go beyond the call of duty. The annual awards, now in their third year, were set up to allow readers to pay tribute to the selfless medics, researchers and volunteers who have touched their lives.

The judging panel was made up of TV doctor and NHS GP Dr Dawn Harper, Professor Chris Moran, the National Clinical Director for Trauma in England, and Chief Midwifery Officer for England, Professor Jacqueline Dunkley-Bent had a difficult task in whittling entries down into a shortlist.

Modest Bella said,

When Mum told me about the nomination, I felt really emotional and very surprised. It’s such an honour to be nominated alongside such amazing young people. To me, fundraising for Haven House is so important because they helped my family and I through a very tough time and we feel as though we can never repay them for the invaluable time they gave us.

Barbara Keller, Specialist Bereavement Social Worker at Haven House, added: “We’re all very proud of Bella who is always willing to put herself forward for new challenges. Whether fund raising, speaking about her own grief journey or gaining mutual support through befriending others who are struggling with similar issues, Bella uses her bubbly personality and unique style to connect in a very friendly and natural way. Over the years I’ve had the pleasure of working with her she’s proved herself to be a real hero!”