Name: Betsy
Age: 12*
Amber Service: Amber Music Awards
Instrument: Piano
Betsy’s vision is affected by a brain tumour that she was diagnosed with at just two years old. She has been playing the piano since the age of five and loves singing and composing her own songs.
Betsy has completed her Grade 1 piano in addition to composing many of her own songs, which she has a true passion for. She is learning to read braille music but otherwise learns everything by ear.
Music isn’t just a hobby for Betsy, it gives her a creative outlet, independence, and freedom. Music has given her aspirations for the future; she wants to make a career out of performing and composing.
Amber has supported Betsy for just over five years, after her parents found out about the charity through the vision development clinic at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Betsy’s mum, Rochelle, says: “We are so happy with the support we’ve received from Amber! It’s opened so many doors for Betsy.”
At 11 years old, Betsy was selected to perform in Berlin at the International Low Vision Song Contest. She played and sang her own composition: ‘I Won’t Let This Simple Curse Get Me Down’, a heartfelt song inspired by her own experience of living with a brain tumour.
Betsy is very grateful and appreciative of the support she has received from us and in 2025 she nominated Amber to be official charity partner of her local music festival, DFest. Betsy also performed at the festival which raised £4,200 in aid of Amber. Watch Betsy in this video explain in her own words why she chose to fundraise for Amber.
Rochelle says: “It is so important to us that Amber is here to support blind and partially sighted children, to allow our children to flourish and dream.
“Music is Betsy’s trusty companion, and we really believe in the power of making music – we were so happy to raise funds for The Amber Trust to give something back.”
*Age correct at time of publishing
To support other children like Benjamin on their musical journey, please donate to The Amber Trust. Your support enables us to provide music opportunities to vision impaired children across the UK, including those with additional needs.