A moving film celebrating the life of inspirational Rotherham teenager Lulu Blundell, who died of cancer on New Year’s Day 2023 aged 19, has been announced as a finalist in the 2024 Charity Film Awards.

Charity Teenage Cancer Trust and Lulu’s mum Carolyn Blundell are now appealing for people to vote for their film, Lulu: Forever 19, to win the ‘People’s Choice’ category at the awards, which is decided entirely by public votes. 

Voting is open to all, including anyone who might have voted for the film in round one of the Charity Film Awards earlier this year.

Lulu: Forever 19, which was part of Teenage Cancer Trust’s #talkaboutdying campaign, sees her own inspiring words and reflections on living with cancer and a terminal diagnosis read out by her mum Carolyn against a backdrop of photos and video taken by Lulu and her loved ones.

The film sees Lulu share thoughts on how it is possible to find happiness in any situation and 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’.

Carolyn, Associate Executive Principal at ���ϸ������� Grange Academies Trust, said:

“There is nothing that ever eases the pain when you lose your child, and their life is cut so dreadfully short, but some comfort comes from seeing even a little good come from it. And this film so beautifully captures our daughter, and all that is important for everyone to remember; and perhaps most importantly raised the profile of a wonderful charity supporting young people when faced with almost impossible challenge.”

Lulu: Forever 19 also has a chance of impressing the award judges and taking home the top prize in its category, or being crowned overall winner, at the awards ceremony in London on 20th March. 

However, on the night the film, which was made by Teenage Cancer Trust’s in-house team and cost £330 to produce, will face stiff competition from films produced by top advertising agencies for much larger charities. 

John Stead, Film Lead at Teenage Cancer Trust, said:

“Although we’re up against some amazing films we’re feeling positive, and regardless of the outcome, are proud to have worked with Carolyn to share Lulu’s story, and to have made this beautiful film about her life together.”

After the film was released in May 2023, Lulu’s positive message went worldwide as her story was reported by media in the UK and across the world including Italy, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Australia. 

Lulu was supported throughout her cancer treatment by the Teenage Cancer Trust team at Sheffield’s Weston Park Hospital, and after relapsing while studying at Newcastle University, was also supported by the charity’s team at the Freeman Hospital in Newcastle.

Intensive support from Teenage Cancer Trust and NHS colleagues meant that in her last months, despite being very unwell, that Lulu was able to go to Glastonbury Music Festival, on a girl’s holiday to Magaluf, and do many other things she wanted, some of which are shown in the film.

The film also includes the emotional moment Lulu crossed the line at her Run with Lulu event last September, a charity 5k she organised with her family and rugby club to raise money for Teenage Cancer Trust.  Lulu ran the event on her prosthetic with a broken shoulder blade, as the tumour had become so large, and raised over £21k to support other young people with cancer.    

Tragically weeks after the Run with Lulu event, a scan showed that Lulu’s cancer had spread more quickly than expected, and that she had months, not years as previously hoped, to live. She died at home on New Year’s Day 2023. 

In total Lulu and her family have now raised over £130k for Teenage Cancer Trust’s vital work providing specialist nursing and emotional support to other young people with cancer.