One of the north-east’s most famous musical exports has backed a charity cover of one of her songs in memory of a Grenfell Tower victim.
Teenagers Yousra Cherbika and Johara Menacer, both aged 13, have used the music from Alford singer Emeli Sande’s hit Read All About It for a song called Why Did You Have to Die?
Their best friend Firdaws Hashim, 12, was killed in the London disaster, which claimed 71 lives in June.
They wrote the lyrics with the encouragement of the Grenfell Voices charity project, which recommended putting their feelings to music.
But while they have still to get permission from record company bosses to release the song, Ms Sande has already given her backing to the pair.
She said: “I love the song that Yousra and Johara have written and admire their bravery in expressing so many difficult emotions through music.
“I would have loved to have met Firdaws. She was such a beautiful spirit and the rendition of Read All About It was extremely touching and heartfelt.
“I hope that the girls’ song will inspire others to use their voice in the fight for justice for the victims of Grenfell.”
The teens recorded filmed an emotional music video in the area near the burnt-out tower.
Their lyrics read: “You’re always in my thoughts and you’re always in my mind. I wish that you were still here. Why did you have to die? Why did they care about money. Before my best friend’s life?
Yousra is still living in a hotel after her family home was destroyed in the huge blaze.
She said: “We wrote this three days after because we just wanted to let everything out. I don’t think I’ll ever come to terms with what happened – just seeing what I saw. I lived there my whole life.
“My friends lived in the tower. It’s been difficult.
“Everything comes back into your head. Seeing an empty space where you know your friend should be sitting is tough. It doesn’t feel like anyone has really thought about what the children affected by Grenfell have gone through.”
