JUST over one year ago this content little girl's world was shattered when her father tragically died just a few days before his 33rd birthday.

The past year has been the hardest of nine-year-old Lily Bevan's life as she and her mum have had to come to terms with losing Nick to cancer.

But her pain was eased by the support of her mum, Sarah, and the help of a very special charity funded partly by your donations to Children In Need.

Sarah and Lily share their story with the Worcester News and explain why people should dig deep tonight and support one of the biggest charity fund-raisers of the year.

Noahs Ark helped us get through the worst

TO see the pretty schoolgirl that is nine-year-old Lily Bevan it is hard to believe that little over a year ago her father was taken away from her forever.

Nick Bevan died after a battle against an aggressive form of cancer in September 2004, just 34 days after marrying Sarah, Lily's mum.

The couple married in a whirlwind of romance after scans revealed Nick to have two inoperable brain tumours, despite him having only just braved intensive treatment and operations to overcome a massive tumour in his chest.

Sarah and Nick wanted to celebrate their 12-year relationship so friends and family rallied round to give Sarah and Nick a wedding day to remember.

But tragedy struck the following month when the 32-year-old finally succumbed to his illness.

The whole family was left devastated but, Sarah, aged 39, said Worcester charity, the Noah's Ark Trust had a lot to do with helping Lily and herself come to terms with life without Nick.

"We were obviously in shock when it happened but Lily was always my priority and I knew she was grieving just as much as I was.

"There were things she needed to say she was afraid to tell me for fear of upsetting me and I appreciated losing someone close can affect children totally differently to adults. So when I heard about the work of Noah's Ark I got in touch and from their first visit I knew they would help Lily - and me - get through."

The Trust has received various donations from Children In Need over the years to help it continue its work supporting the city's bereaved children, young people and their families free of charge.

Sarah, from Battenhall, Worcester, added the group was vital as a contact point for families and parents who are unsure of how to handle their children's grief, are finding it difficult to cope or need someone to talk to.

"They are great. They worked with Lily, giving her activities to remember her dad like worksheets and picture frames to put photographs of him in.

"We also went on an activity weekend where she met lots of children in the same situation and I also met other mothers which really helped us both."

Lily is now doing well at Alice Ottley Junior School, Worcester, and is even a house captain. She said she still missed her daddy.

"I used to be sad all of the time but I'm a lot happier now. I smile more when I think of him and really enjoy school because it takes my mind off things and is fun.

"Noah's Ark really helped me because we made things to remind me of my daddy.

"I think people should give to Children In Need because it helps children that you may not think are in need, like me".

Noah's Ark Trust, based in College Precincts, has been supporting children like Lily since 1998 and relies entirely on donations to keep afloat. It received £81,000 from Children In Need this year.