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Dec
‘She had a way of making everyone feel special’: Friends and family celebrate life of Harrogate’s Liz Hatton
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Friends, family, classmates and many others came out in their droves to celebrate the life of Harrogate teen Liz Hatton yesterday (December 11).
The former Harrogate Grammar School student died on November 27. Her death has had a huge impact locally and nationally, and judging by yesterday’s turnout, that impact will continue to be felt by many people for a long time.
Liz, who was just 17 at the time of her death, was diagnosed with desmoplastic small round cell tumour – a sarcoma so rare only 12 cases are recorded each year – in February. She died 10 months after her diagnosis.
The condition is so rare that very little is known about it, meaning there is insufficient funding or information about it.
But Liz was determined to live her dreams as photographer in spite of her cancer and went on to photograph some hugely famous faces.
Her work was yesterday displayed at the Doubletree by Hilton Harrogate Majestic Hotel and Spa.
Among the exhibition were photos of the Prince and Princess of Wales, comedian Michael McIntyre, actor Tom Hardy, Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK drag queens, the Royal Ballet, models and more.
Some of Liz's work.
Liz’s family asked people to bring Jellycats instead of flowers. The large pile of these soft toys that were brought will be donated to the oncology ward at Leeds Children’s Hospital, where Liz was treated, for patients to enjoy.
Liz's family set up a fundraising page after her death to fund vital research into the condition. You can donate to it by clicking here.
The Stray Ferret attended the event and spoke to some of Liz’s loved ones.
Helen Barton, one of Liz’s godmothers, told the Stray Ferret Liz was “just the nicest person”.
She said:
Beth [her nickname for Liz] had an aura that shone out of her. She had a way of making everyone she met feel so special.
She was such a talented photographer and so modest.
A powerpoint of Liz's life in photos was played.
Helen reminisced on holidays with her family and Liz’s, which were spent on Disney cruise ships.
She said:
When she was younger, we would go on holiday on Disney cruises. She was like the queen of the cruise! We would walk down the ship, and everyone knew who she was.
She would interact with the characters so well. She did little role plays with them.
We went on a Disney cruise in June.
Helen said her and her family are so proud of Liz and the legacy she has left.
Aaron Robayna Thompson, Liz's papa.
'I've never met anyone with such strength'
We also spoke to Aaron Robayna Thompson, Liz’s stepfather, otherwise known as her papa.
He told the Stray Ferret Liz was determined, strong, kind and empathetic.
Aaron said he was delighted people could enjoy Liz’s photos at the event, but added:
What people don’t know is the pain and suffering the went through to take these pictures. I’ve never met anyone with such strength. It’s not just how talented she was, but also her level of drive.
She never complained. She never asked, ‘why me?'
Aaron also said Liz's selflessness never faltered, even after her diagnosis.
When she met the Prince and Princess of Wales, Liz was given a big lemon drizzle cake. We were going home the next day so she knew we couldn’t carry it home, so she gave it to a homeless man.
She was also given four bunches of flowers, which she gave to other people. She gave one bunch to our taxi driver to give to his wife, one to a cleaner at the hotel and one to her nurses.
Aaron wanted people to enjoy Liz’s photography work, as well as her energy and her strength at yesterday’s event.
However, he urged people to donate to the family’s fundraising page.
“Please help us ensure other families don’t have to go through this”, Aaron said.
Some of Liz's work.
Liz’s grandmother, Janet Brown, said her granddaughter always put other people before herself.
She described Liz as "just incredible".
Janet also praised the medical care Liz received:
I want to thank her doctors and nurses. They did everything they could to make sure she could live her life.
Liz's photography chair.
'Let's make this the last thing on her bucket list'
At the time of Liz's death, her mother Victoria posted a statement on X.
It said:
We have two last favours to ask. Firstly, we would like to ask you to share one of her photos – on your social media, or in real life, however you can. Let’s let her go out with a bang. #LizHatton (photos will follow in a thread but do also feel free to choose your own from @lizhatton_photography on Instagram).
Secondly, if you can, we would like you to help us with a mission to raise money to fund research into Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumour. With no charity in the UK or internationally funding into effective treatments are lacking.
In 2024 a 15% 5-year survival rate is simply not enough. Together we can change that. Whether you can share, donate or raise funds – please be our village one more time. Let’s make this the last item on her bucket list and make sure other families don’t face a similar fate.
Credit: Liz Hatton
The Stray Ferret recently published a gallery of Liz's photos, which you can view here or on her Instagram page.
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