THE mother of a professional dancer, singer and actress who took her own life is hoping to set up a foundation in her name.
Olivia Faulkner, 19, died on November 27, just months before she was due to take to the stage in London in her first major role.
Olivia’s mum, Zoe, of Racecommon Road, Barnsley, has set up a fundraising page to raise money to create The Olivia Faulkner Foundation Trust. About £6,000 has been raised so far.
On the page, Zoe describes her daughter as an ‘all-round amazing talent’ who was always destined to follow her dreams of being a West End star.
She tells how Olivia left home when she was 13 to attend a full-time dance school before gaining a place at Laine Theatre Arts, one of London’s top dance colleges, at the age of 16.
Olivia graduated in July this year with the highest accolade from college - top female vocal award and most promising star of the future.
On the day of her graduation, she was offered her first professional job in the musical Pippin.
Zoe writes: “She was so excited to land her first major role, and as a family we were so incredibly proud of her.”
Olivia was offered a transfer to perform the show in London, starting in February.
Olivia had been dancing since she was three, and she and her brother Keenan were shortlisted in the Young Superstar category of the first Proud of Barnsley awards in 2012.
Many of her friends and colleagues have paid tribute to her on social media.
Zoe wrote: “Olivia was loved by so many people and wherever she went she always became part of their families. She was always singing, such a fun-loving girl who had so much to look forward to.
“On Monday November 27, we got the devastating news that Olivia had tragically taken her own life. We will never know why. She was always smiling, laughing, and constantly singing in her London flat with her friends, at her home with her family and everywhere in between. We are all truly heartbroken that we never realised she was struggling mentally.
“People will think surely there were signs, surely somebody would have noticed. There was nothing. We are such a close family and it breaks our heart to think she felt she had no other way. She FaceTimed us every day laughing and joking. She sent Keenan, her brother, funny videos every day and was looking forward to coming home for Christmas so very much.”
Zoe’s aim now is to raise awareness of mental illness in the dance world, and to raise enough money to keep Olivia’s memory alive.
She writes: “We hope Olivia’s story will help people reach out and tell someone how they are feeling, if it saves just one family the heartbreak we are going through all our efforts and every single penny will be worth it.”
To donate, click HERE.
