A TIDWORTH singer-songwriter who penned a song to support her father through treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma has released it to raise money to help others.

Essy Beth, also known as Sophie Henderson, who is a musician in the British Army Band Tidworth, wrote the song You Do You in 2019 for her father Duncan.

She hopes the charity single will support others who have been affected by the condition.

She joined forces with local music producer Georgina Agombar from Third Fret Ltd to release the single, with all proceeds going to Lymphoma Action, the only charity in the UK dedicated to supporting anyone affected by lymphoma.

“When Dad was diagnosed, he was worried about everyone else and wanted to make sure they were OK” said the 28-year-old. “What I soon realised in watching my dad go through his treatment is that it is important to do what is right for you. Being in the military, visiting home is important and it was hard for him not to spend every moment with me when I was on leave. For me, it was important just to see him, even if it was just for a cuddle and a quick cup of tea.

“I could tell when he was drained from his chemotherapy treatment, and needed to let him know that if he needed to rest, and spend all day in bed that it was OK! I used to say to him ‘Dad – you just do you, don’t worry about me!’ That’s where the phrase ‘You Do You’ came from.”

Sarah Thorn, of Lymphoma Action, added: “Every 27 minutes one of us is diagnosed with lymphoma, making it the fifth most common cancer in the UK. Through funds raised by people like Essy we can continue to make sure everyone affected by the condition receives the best possible information, support, treatment and care so that no one has to face lymphoma alone.”

For more go to lymphoma-action.org.uk/essy-beth-charity-single