Tabitha Tulloch-Peet was the beloved daughter of Michael and Hayley and sister to four brothers, growing up in North Devon! In 2022, at the age of 16, Tabitha was diagnosed with a rare cancer called sarcoma. Despite undergoing chemotherapy and the challenges that came with it, she continued to live life positively. She kept up with her friends at Kingsley school and the activities she enjoyed, including Sea cadets, swimming, theatre group and singing – if Tabs could perform on any stage in the world she would! Tabs’ favourite artist was Taylor Swift who she managed to see at the O2, London, only 7 weeks before she passed away.
Tabitha loved performing or watching others perform, and was inspired by her own journey to write the song “Sparkle” with local musician Yazzy. They recorded it at “On Track Audio” in Barnstaple with her brother Alastair and other musicians. Its lyrics encourage listeners to embrace their individuality and “sparkle” even in the darkest moments – a message true for Tabitha and others facing challenges.
Tabitha sadly passed away on 3 October 2024 in the North Devon Hospice at the age of 19. She is remembered as a courageous and much-loved young woman whose strength, kindness, and positivity left a lasting impression on all who knew her. Tabs’ passion for music and theatre has inspired her family to start this charity in her name. Their goal is to create uplifting experiences for young people aged 13-25 living with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses by providing tickets to live music and theatre events.
“Joy is treatment too”
Vision
To ensure every young person in the country undergoing treatment has at least one significant, joyful experience through music and theatre, creating sparkles of happiness during their most challenging times. The charity’s efforts will actively transform difficult moments into invaluable opportunities for creating positive, enduring memories. These memories, in turn, contribute significantly to the holistic well-being and developmental needs of young individuals and their families.
Tabitha’s Smile is committed to providing tickets to music and theatre events for children and young adults undergoing treatment for life-threatening illnesses. This direct intervention addresses a critical, often overlooked need: the provision of positive experiences and a sense of normalcy during periods frequently dominated by medical procedures, emotional distress, and the pervasive shadow of illness.
