Rotherham teenager's cancer film shortlisted for national award

A film about a South Yorkshire student who died of cancer aged 19 has been shortlisted for a national award.

Lulu Blundell, from Rotherham, died at home on New Year's Day last year.

The film, Lulu: Forever 19, which has been nominated for a Smiley Charity Film Award, focuses on her positivity despite living with the illness.

Her mum, Carolyn. said while nothing eased the pain of losing a child, "some comfort comes from seeing even a little good come from it".

Ms Blundell was diagnosed with cancer aged 15 and given the all-clear in 2019.

However, it came back in 2020 and the teenager decided not to undergo chemotherapy a second time.

Lulu: Forever 19, which cost just £330 to make and was released in May last year, was part of the Teenage Cancer Trust's #talkaboutdying campaign.

The organisers of Smiley Charity Film Awards highlighted the teenager's "inspiring words and reflections on living with cancer and a terminal diagnosis read out by her mum Carolyn" as featured in the film alongside images by Ms Blundell and her loved ones.

"It sees Lulu's thoughts on how it is possible to find happiness in any situation.

"She urges people to make the people around them smile and stop worrying about things that don't need worrying about, because 'life is too short'," they said.

The film features the emotional moment Ms Blundell crossed the finish line at a fundraising charity 5k run she helped organise for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Ms Blundell ran the event on her prosthetic with a broken shoulder blade, as the tumour had become so large, and she raised over £21,000 to support others, the charity said.

To date, she and her family have raised £130,000 for the trust, which provides specialist nursing and emotional support to young people with cancer.

John Stead, from the Teenage Cancer Trust, said: "We are proud to have worked with Carolyn to share Lulu's story, and to have made this beautiful film about their life together."

Carolyn Blundell said her daughter had remained "strong and inspiring" despite her condition, and "never let the disease become what she was about".

"This film so beautifully captures our daughter, and all that is important for everyone to remember," she added.

The Smiley Film Awards are run by the Smiley Movement which, according to its website, aims "to inspire positive change in society by highlighting the people - and organisations - doing good in our world".

The awards are based on public votes and a ceremony is due to be held in London in March.

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