An East Yorkshire father who tragically lost his oldest daughter is raising money for a theatre club that has become a “second family” for his surviving children. Chelsea Blue Mooney tragically passed away aged just 17 in 2021 following a long battle with her mental health and an eating disorder.
The Bridlington teenager had a passion for the performing arts, which is shared by her younger sisters. Their dad Steve Blackford will dress up like a pantomime dame – a costume picked by the children – to run two charity races for Y PERFORM Musical Theatre Group which he said has become a “second family” for his daughters, Madison, 17, and Scarlet, eight.
As Steve explains on his Just Giving page, he will run the Great North Run and Yorkshire Marathon in fancy dress with the aim of raising £1,000 towards costumes, stage sets, theatre hire, and materials for the Scarborough-based club. In thanks to Y PERFORM, he said: “It gave our girls a safe space – a place where they could express themselves freely, escape the heaviness of grief, and rediscover joy.
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“Through singing, acting, and dancing, they began to heal. They built confidence, developed emotional strength, and most importantly, found a sense of belonging again.
“The mentors at Y PERFORM are truly remarkable. They didn’t just support the girls during sessions – they checked in outside of club hours, noticed when something felt off, and offered unwavering kindness and encouragement.
“Their dedication made all the difference. I genuinely believe that without this club, Madison and Scarlet would not be the strong, thriving young people they are today.”
(Image: Supplied)
Steve said Chelsea’s story highlighted how “under-resourced and overstretched mental health services can be”. That is why he believes clubs like Y PERFORM are vital.
He said it offers children and teenagers a creative outlet, increased self-esteem, ways to manage stress and anxiety, emotional development, a sense of community, and lifelong friendships. Steve added: “Performing arts have been proven to help children cope with trauma, grief, depression, and anxiety – and we’ve seen it with our own eyes.”
The Great North Run takes place on Sunday, September 7, in Newcastle. The Yorkshire Marathon takes place on Sunday, October 19 in York.