Flynne Ewart-Biggs loved the mountains of the Lake District with a passion.
Her grandparents retired to Borrowdale and Flynne and her brother Harry’s first holidays were in this beautiful environment. They liked nothing more than being at one with nature on a camping trip.
Flynne was diagnosed with cancer in October 2013, aged 14. From the onset she faced her illness with positivity, humour and an inner strength that gave courage to all those around her. During this time we headed for the hills as often as possible and in all weathers.
During treatment Flynne made it to school as much as possible and carried on with her GCSE studies. In between courses of chemotherapy Flynne took a Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award and enjoyed playing the Mad Hatter in a school production of Alice in Wonderland. She was awarded the school Eddy Grant Award for Inspiration and Innovation in 2014 and a Camden Youth Award in 2015.
Flynne and the Meitheal Cheoil gang after another successful St. Patrick’s Troupe session
Weaving through all of this was Flynne’s love of music. From the age of 5 she was part of a north London Irish music troupe called Meitheal Cheoil. She derived great pleasure and comfort from her music and friends. Flynne developed a love of old time bluegrass and country/rock music which inspired her to write her own songs. She shared special times with Ellie Rowsell, who heads up the alt rock band Wolf Alice. Flynne adored going to see Wolf Alice perform. We are delighted that Ellie is the patron of Flynne’s Barn.
Flynne’s cancer returned in the autumn of 2015. Despite the illness she lived life to the full, continuing to draw, write and play her music.
Throughout this time Flynne valued meaningful connections with young people on cancer journeys. She met with teenagers being treated at UCLH and was always eager to join in with organised charity events where she could find understanding and camaraderie with new friends. Flynne had the fortune to go on two summer sailing trips with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.
Flynne died at home at the end of February 2016. Flynne’s Barn will be a continuation of her legacy, through bringing young people together to share in the beauty of the landscape, to share in artistic endeavour, to make music but most of all to connect with each other and help each other along a challenging road.