Talented brothers have written a poignant charity song in memory of a brave seven-year-old who died of cancer.
Kayla Buttle was diagnosed with the rare condition neuroblastoma in 2021 and received end-of-life care from East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH). She sadly died at The Nook – EACH’s hospice in Norfolk – in May.
Kayla’s parents, Wayne and Stacey, are friends with brothers Glen and Owen Spooner, from popular Norwich band Sons of Mark.
They asked the pair to write a song in memory of their daughter, and Kayla’s World, available to stream now, will feature on their second album, due to be released at Christmas.
All proceeds from the album will be going to EACH, and, in the meantime, supporters can make a £3 donation in return for downloading the single by heading here. Alternatively, head to each.org.uk/Kayla
“Writing ‘Kayla’s World’ was the most emotional thing we’ve ever done,” said Glen.
“Our aim was to write a song to celebrate her life, as well as her incredible family, and we really hope we’ve achieved that.
“Kayla was so funny and always joking around. Stacey would often send us videos of her singing our songs, which meant the world to us.
“Musically, it was the hardest thing we’ve ever done, because we were so desperate to get it right. However, it was also the most rewarding.
“Kayla’s family have followed us for some time, ever since we played a charity gig they were organising. They’ve been the driving force behind this, and we’re honouring their wishes.
“We wanted to get it right for them and for it to be an uplifting celebration of Kayla’s life.
“Thankfully, they instantly fell in love with it, and having their approval meant the world to us.”
Glen, 35, and Owen, 33, well known on the local music scene for their moving acoustic performances and harmonies, originally hoped the single would be ready to share with Kayla. Sadly, that did not happen, but it was played at her funeral.
The song begins with Kayla’s voice, taken from a recording.
“It’s been a very emotional journey, and when Wayne and Stacey said they loved it, we both broke down in tears,” said Owen.
“It was such a relief and meant the world.
“Usually when we record a song, the only pressure we feel is that which we put on ourselves. The bottom line is whether we’re happy with something.
“This was obviously very different, because of the people we were writing for and because of the emotion involved.
“Having said that, Wayne and Stacey are always so kind and supportive of everything we do. They’re brilliant people, and that made the process less daunting.
“The last few months have been really difficult because, as a family, we love them so much.
“One of the lyrics in the song refers to ‘a family we call our own’, and that’s what they mean to us. We think of them as family.”
Kayla’s World will be one of the singles on the brothers’ next album, which they hope to release in the build-up to Christmas.
They are determined to raise as much as possible for EACH after hearing the difference its care and support made to the Buttle family. They also got to see it with their own eyes after paying a visit to The Nook.
“I’m not sure what I was expecting that day,” said Owen.
“I’d be lying if I said I was looking forward to going there, because I thought it would be a very sad experience.
“However, from the moment we arrived, it was clear the families felt relaxed and were being so well looked after and supported. They were there together, and it was a different experience to what I was expecting.”
Glen said he was equally impressed after visiting The Nook.
“We were blown away by the experience – by the staff, the facilities and everything about the place,” he added.
“We’ve also had conversations and worked with other families that have received care and support, so we know it’s an unbelievable charity.
“Everyone speaks so highly of the difference it makes, so we thought ‘what can we do to help?’
“We want to make more people aware of the amazing work EACH does.
“They need to know that this great charity needs support and only exists with help from the public.”
Glen and Owen have already performed the song once in public, at a gig in Norwich. Fittingly, Wayne and Stacey were in the audience.
“That was really emotional,” said Glen.
“We both broke down but just about got through it, because we wanted to do it for them. I think it’s always going to be a hard one to play.”
Hot off the heels of the album release, Glen and Owen are planning a big gig in Norwich in January and hope to use it as a way of raising even more for EACH.
