Ross-on-Wye based charity work with Eastenders on heartbreaking storyline

Ross-on-Wye based charity, Hope Support Services, have been working with Eastenders on a heartbreaking storyline.

EastEnders will air scenes tonight (Wednesday 23rd November) which see Lexi Pearce find out her mother, Lola Pearce, has been diagnosed with cancer.

The storyline, which sees Lola Pearce diagnosed with a brain tumour, began airing this autumn where viewers have seen Lola and her loved ones begin to deal with deal with her diagnosis.

The storyline will follow the experience of Lola, and those around her, as she faces her new reality of being a young mother living with a brain tumour.

EastEnders has worked closely with Hope Support Services on the scenes airing this week, to ensure it is portrayed as realistically and as sensitively as possible for all children who have parents experiencing a terminal illness.

Lorna Russell, Safeguarding Lead at Hope Support Services, said: “It’s been great to work with Danielle (Lola) and Isabella (Lexi) on this storyline – lots of families will understand how distressing it can be for children when someone they love has cancer, so we’re pleased to see EastEnders focusing on how Lexi is affected by Lola’s brain tumour.”

Members of the Hope Team visited Albert Square to meet Danielle and Isabella, who play the mother and daughter, sharing their experiences of what families in this situation go through.

Hope Support Services said: “We’re really pleased that EastEnders are paying so much attention to the impact a diagnosis can have on younger family members, raising awareness of the needs of children and young people who are going through such a traumatic time.”