10-year-old's donation to Marie Curie in memory of mum

Picture: (left to right) Aron Rose, Paola Domizio, Sasha Rose (credit Marie Curie)

A ten-year-old boy from Highbury who is currently starring in the English National Opera’s performance of Mozart’s opera, The Magic Flute, is donating his show fee to terminal illness charity Marie Curie, who helped support his mother before she died last year.

Sasha’s mum Paola Domizio was diagnosed with terminal cancer in July 2015 and given just three to six months to live before she was referred to the Marie Curie Hospice in Hampstead. When she first visited as an outpatient she was unable to walk but thanks to the care and support provided there, in particular the gym, she regained her strength managing to enjoy family holidays and leading a fairly normal life. Unfortunately, following a return from a family holiday in summer, her condition deteriorated and she died at home in October 2018.

 

Throughout her time using the hospice, her twin sons, Sasha and Aron Rose, both used the services there as well to receive pre-bereavement counselling and both continue to receive support now. It was thanks to the help Marie Curie provided Sasha, his mum and brother that he wanted to give his fee from the show to the charity as a way of saying thank you.

He said: “When I auditioned I just wanted family and friends to be proud of me, and I wanted to prove that I could do something good. I am playing one of the three spirits and we are all treble singers who help to guide the main characters in their quest to find love and happiness.

“When I was offered the part, I asked my dad if I could donate my fee for performing to Marie Curie because I want to them to continue to be able to help other people like they helped my mum. They are an amazing charity and my mum really enjoyed visiting the hospice, using the gym and joining the relaxation group every Friday.  She made lots of friends with the other users of those facilities.

“Me and my brother have gone through a lot of hard times and Marco at the hospice, who is the children’s and young people’s counsellor has helped us a lot, so this donation is a thank you to the charity and also in memory of our mum.”

Stuart Murphy, CEO, ENO said: “Sasha is such a brave and inspiring performer. His performance in The Magic Flute here at ENO is absolutely wonderful and we are sure that his Mum would be incredibly proud. Everyone at ENO is enormously touched by his decision to donate his earnings towards Marie Curie and to offer our support and thanks we will match his donation to double the money received by the charity.”

It isn’t the first time the family have donated a fee from a performance to the charity. In Christmas 2016 the brothers put on a nativity performance for family and friends at their home and asked for donations to give to Marie Curie for tickets to see their show.

If you are in need of support, or have any questions about any aspect of terminal illness, including clinical support, call the Marie Curie Information & Support Line free on 0800 090 2309 or visit www.mariecurie.org.uk/help.