A YOUNG singer-songwriter with a lifelong love of piano-playing hopes to make music again one day after being partly paralysed by MS.

Bee Timms' passion and musicality inspired her to start her own business helping children learn to sing and play piano after spending most of her own childhood in music lessons, dance classes and performing arts schools.

But less than a year after setting this up, the 22-year-old from Shrivenham lost her eyesight and had to go to hospital to regain it. Just before lockdown, she felt unwell again and suddenly lost feeling in the right side of her body and struggled to talk.

Her family could not see her while she underwent therapy in John Radcliffe Hospital due to Covid precautions which then limited the support available to her when she came home.

Her mum Carole said: "It all happened so suddenly, it's come as a shock to all of us. It was heartbreaking and upsetting to see this happen to her and all the challenges she's faced since then.

"She has a bubbly attitude and is determined to get better and restart her business, even though other people in her therapy said it will be difficult to get back to how she was.

"She's an inspirational young woman, though her situation does pull her down sometimes, understandably, and it has affected her self-esteem.

"Her movement is limited but she tries to do as much as she can by herself, like walking, dressing, going to her first post-lockdown hospital session. She can't spell or use a keyboard any more but she can still sing and remember the words."

Singing has been a lifeline for Bee during this difficult time, with weekly lessons held over Zoom by her teacher Tamsin Kennard, who she has known since the age of four.

Tamsin spent a Sunday tinkling the ivories on a 12-hour livestream to support her star student with a fundraiser.

There is a chance Bee could one day make music again as donations flooded in, smashed the original target and raised more than £2,300 for her to have rehabilitation sessions at Orchard House in Didcot.

Tamsin said: “I’ve known and worked with my lovely, generous, fun and talented singing student Bee for 12 years.

“She has sung and played the piano beautifully, written her own songs and music, and begun teaching young musicians herself.

“Please donate if you can, so this gorgeous lady can have her passions and her life back the way she deserves."

Caroline added: "We watched the whole livestream and Bee was joining in and adding comments, it was amazing and so fun.

"Regular rehab sessions will make a big difference and the money raised will pay for a lot of them. We're taking small steps at a time."

To donate, visit uk.gofundme.com/f/help-bee-to-make-music-again

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jy5GJZM3NCY