A Bushey schoolgirl has channeled her love for singing to commemorate those who lost their lives in the Hillsborough disaster.
Danya Rushton, 15, joined the Liverpool Lighthouse Community Choir last summer, which is set to mark the tragedy's 32nd anniversary this month with a 96-second rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone.
The project is particularly poignant for Danya's mum, Serena, whose best friend Vicki died aged 15 during the disaster, alongside Vicki's sister Sarah Hicks.
Serena said: “Every year on 15th April I think of their parents and all the families of the other victims who lost their lives that day.
"Danya is the same age that Vicki and I were when the disaster happened.
"It’s been difficult for everyone in this choir but it has become a wonderful community project bringing everyone closer together and has shown how powerful music can be."
Serena added that the project has "huge personal meaning" for her, and that it is important to not to forget what happened.
Most of the members are based in Liverpool but the choir allowed Danya, who lives in Barnet, to take part due to the personal meaning it had for Serena.
Danya, who goes to The Purcell School, said she has relished the chance to come together with the choir throughout the pandemic.
"We all share a love of singing and I have enjoyed learning the songs which we will record for the album," she said.
"I have also enjoyed learning from Anu Omideyi, who has been leading us and providing vocal coaching.
"It has been a very positive experience for me."
Danya said that learning about how 96 people lost their lives at the football match left her "really shocked", adding: "I also know that the families of the victims had to fight for justice for so long and for the truth to come out.
"So it is important for me that we can commemorate them and make sure that that they are never forgotten.”
Danya, who previously appeared with the Chineke! Junior Orchestra on the Britain’s Got Talent, has also recorded an instrumental version of You’ll Never Walk Alone, which will also be posted online on April 15.
Both performances will be available to watch on her YouTube page on April 15.
Serena said that her daughter is shy but music "gives her a voice", adding: “I am really proud and grateful that Danya is doing this, it has been a huge commitment for the choir.
"I hope it will be a fitting commemoration to show our respects.”
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