Longridge school girl pens inspiring song to thank NHS workers

Emilia Dunderdale has penned Keep on Smiling to say a huge thank you to NHS staff.

The song is certainly written from the heart, with nurses having cared for her grandma and great-granddad, who both have chronic health conditions, before and during the pandemic.

The 10-year-old, who is in Year 6 at Stonyhurst St Mary's Hall in Clitheroe, said: "I wrote this song for the amazing staff at the NHS to show my appreciation for all their hard work helping everyone who is poorly.

"I am also grateful for them helping my Grandma Christine and Great-granddad John (Pops), even before this happened.

"All the doctors and nurses are so kind and do so much for everyone else. I hope my song can make them smile.”

Emilia only began writing songs six months ago. She has been taking violin lessons for five years and learning the guitar for 12 months, and has been teaching herself to play the piano for the past year.

Her mum Rachael said: "Her song-writing came out of nowhere. She seems to have a natural talent for it. She's been firing out songs on the piano, without ever having had a lesson. We're so impressed."

And to help Emilia spread some positive vibes, the 32-year-old personal trainer posted a video of her performing Keep on Smiling on Facebook, amassing numerous comments and shares.

"One mum in our school works in the NHS and she said she'd be passing it on to a London hospital," said mum-of-three Rachael.

"It'd be nice to get as many staff to see it as possible. We do appreciate what they do, not just now but always.

"In these times, they must want to be with their own families, so this is a way for Emilia to use her passion for music to say thank you. It's a nice song with a smiling face, so it'd cheer me up."

And when the blossoming musician heard her grandma and great-granddad, who live alone, would need to self-isolate, she also decided to do something to help make them smile.

The result was seven songs - one for everyday of the week - which she performed in a virtual concert, with her mum uploading the videos to Facebook.

She also took requests, delivering a rendition of Over the Rainbow with her sister Isabella for the residents of Pilling Nursing Home. Both girls sang while Emilia played the guitar and 11-year-old Isabella was on the piano.

They also helped to give their auntie Emma, who is stuck in Australia, a taste of home by performing Haim's Now I'm In It to help lift her spirits.

To listen to Keep on Smiling, search for Emilia Dunderdale on Youtube.