Ed Sheeran was one of the individuals who honored an 11-year-old girl during her funeral after she passed away following a prolonged fight with complex health issues.
Melody Driscoll, hailing from Croydon, died in a hospital in July.
In a statement delivered at the ceremony, the singer expressed that he would keep “this special girl in his heart for the rest of my life.”
Melody’s parents, who had previously faced accusations from hospital staff of “obstructing” their daughter’s treatment, stated that her “legacy will endure.”
The family had been in conflict with King’s College Hospital (KCH) regarding the medical care provided to Melody, who suffered from multiple conditions, including Rett syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that is both life-limiting and causes cognitive and physical impairments.
The funeral procession saw mourners donned in yellow, Melody’s favorite color.
Her coffin was transported to the Croydon Crematorium via a horse-drawn carriage, with Ed Sheeran’s manager among those who assisted in carrying it.
After the ceremony, Melody’s mother, Karina Driscoll, remarked that her daughter had “made us proud every single day.”
“If you encountered her for even a moment, you would instantly fall in love with her. She possessed an undeniable spark,” she shared.
Connie Yates, the mother of Charlie Gard, was present at the ceremony.
Melody Driscoll’s parents mentioned that they were “joining forces with Charlie Gard’s parents.”
Connie Yates was also in attendance, and Melody’s parents expressed their support for her call for legal reform regarding parents’ rights in relation to their children’s medical treatment.
