Uckfield woman takes centre stage at London’s Royal Albert Hall

Held from 23 to 29 March, the iconic longstanding fundraising gigs held by Teenage Cancer Trust saw a week of entertainment and fundraising form top musicians and comedians - and gave over 125 young people who have experienced cancer VIP trips to remember.

Freya, now 23, who was diagnosed with the rare cancer Parosteal osteosarcoma in 2024, had the opportunity to watch Stewart Lee, Dom Joly and other comedians from the best seats in the house, as well as meeting the stars backstage, as part of the charity’s Ultimate Backstage Experience programme.

During the evening’s show, Freya also got the chance to have her own moment in the spotlight when she was invited on stage, alongside peers, to take a selfie with the 5,000 strong crowd who lit their phone torches to show their support for young people with cancer.

The group also got to take part in an interactive music workshop courtesy of the Royal Albert Hall’s engagement team and stayed overnight in a central London hotel.

On her diagnosis, Freya said: “The first thing I thought was that I had just been handed my death sentence. As I’m sure a lot of people who have experienced this will agree, when you’re told you have cancer you immediately think you’re going to die.”

Freya was studying at Sheffield University at the time but decided to return home to Uckfield so that she could be treated closer to home at the Teenage Cancer Trust unit for young people at UCLH in London, which specialises in cancer treatment for young people.

She found chemotherapy and the mental impact of being diagnosed with cancer at such a young age ‘incredibly hard’ but help was at hand for her and her family from the charity’s nurses and youth support coordinators.

Freya explains: "Teenage Cancer Trust was a blessing throughout my treatment. The support they gave my family and I carried us through the lowest moments of that period.

“Going through something devastating and so life-altering can be alienating, especially when you are constantly told you're 'too young' to be in that position.

“However, to be able to walk into a place that not only understands your unique medical needs but also embraces and celebrates your personal identity is invaluable for a young person going through cancer.

“It was the support and friendship that I received from both staff and other patients at the Teenage Cancer Trust that motivated me to successfully make it to the end of my treatment and be fortunate enough to be where I am today."

Freya completed her chemotherapy in March 2025 and has now received the all-clear.

The Ultimate Backstage Experience offers young people an opportunity to connect with peers who have faced cancer, boost their confidence post-treatment, and create lasting memories. This year, with generous sponsorship from Domino’s Pizza, more than 125 young people, including Freya, had the chance to participate.

On her experience at the Royal Albert Hall, Freya said: “I found the whole experience incredible.I had never been to the Royal Albert Hall, let alone backstage, so it was amazing to have exclusive access to such a breathtaking venue. I also loved meeting so many other young people, I always find that the highlight of every Teenage Cancer Trust event.

“My favourite part, other than making some great new friends, had to be meeting the comedians backstage. We had the chance to ask them questions, and we gave them a challenge of sneaking in a ridiculous and random work of our choice into their set, which made the performances even more fun for us.

“The onstage moment was surreal. To stand in front of that many people in honour of such a vital charity was almost emotional. I am endlessly grateful to every audience member who cheered and made up the light up selfie moment so memorable.”

In addition to sponsoring the Ultimate Backstage Experience, over the past ten years, Domino’s customers, colleagues and franchise partners have raised over £9 million to support Teenage Cancer Trust’s vital work and ensure that cancer doesn’t stop young people with cancer living their lives.

In 2025 alone, Domino’s raised over £950,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust. Alongside the charity’s core work, Domino’s offered their new professional mentoring scheme to frontline NHS staff and funded seven Youth Support Coordinators across the UK, who help young people to navigate their cancer experience, and went the extra mile and donated over 2,500 pizzas.

Through its annual series of gigs at the Royal Albert Hall, Teenage Cancer Trust has raised over £34 million to fund its specialist units, nurses, and youth support teams across the UK for young people aged 13-24. That money is enough to pay for over a million hours of specialist care from Teenage Cancer Trust nurses.

This year, top performers including Elbow, Mogwai, Manic Street Preachers, My Bloody Valentine, Garbage and Wolf Alice are all performing for free to help young people with cancer.

Roger Lennon, Youth Work Manager, Teenage Cancer Trust, said: “Cancer as a young person can feel really isolating but special events like the Ultimate Backstage Experience bring young people with similar experiences together to connect, make friends, and to have fun.

“We are so thankful to our sponsor, Domino’s, whose support makes this truly once in a lifetime opportunity possible.” Rachel Townsend, Senior Charity Communications Manager at Domino's Pizza Group Domino’s, said:

“Our relationship with Teenage Cancer Trust continues to be one of genuine pride for us. They give young people facing unimaginably tough situations the chance to still enjoy the milestones that make youth meaningful. Supporting the Ultimate Backstage Experience once again is an honour, as it offers young people precious moments of joy, connection and new friendships.”