A St Albans resident hosted an unforgettable music event to honour her children’s life and raise money for charity, on Saturday, October 5.
Called ‘Dance with the Dragonfly’, the event was held at the Pioneer, Heathlands Drive. Leanda Kelly, with the support of her husband Richard and other kind volunteers, raised £5000 for SANE Mental Health Charity, St Albans Action for Homeless and Mind in Mid Herts.
Leanda tragically lost her children Tanya, in 2018, and more recently her son Stevie in 2023, both of whom chose not to live anymore.
StALBANSnews spoke to Leanda to hear more about her event and her children.
Leanda said: “I wanted people to smile and to remember my babies. Talking about suicide is such a taboo subject. I feel rubbish but I would much rather someone talk to me about it. It’s okay to say ‘I am not okay’.”
People danced the night away from 7pm till 2am to a plethora of music, including soul, funk, reggae, house, garage and more. Leanda thanked the DJs who she said were “phenomenal”.
She said that “music has always been in the family” and that her children would smile knowing what she put on for them.
She continued: “They knew that their mum could throw a good party!”
The dragonfly is significant to Leanda as she started noticing it when a friend of hers passed. She said it appeared in his hospital room and at his funeral.
She said: “When Tanya died, they [dragonflies] continued to reappear on paintings, backs of buses, her duvet cover, on holiday.”
Leanda is already planning next years event, which will no doubt again be a success.
Thank you for writing this and actually listening to my story. It is important everyone knows its okay to to ask for help.. it’s okay to talk about suicide.. I’d rather listen to anyone’s problems than attend their funeral xXx
This lady is an Angel in disguise, she should be put on national tv to get this message out to the people of the UK, Europe even the world She has influenced so many people’s lives by doing this charity work, entertainers are queing up to play at these events just to be part of this amazing woman’s entourage. She never moans about her own suffering but is there to help anyone who needs her with her ever going spirit. Energy ,passion selflessness and drive , all to help others knight this lady maker her priminister or even the queen you won’t regret it she will change the world .
Words can not express the admiration, respect and love I have for this amazing lady! She has devoted herself to raising awareness and support, spreading the word , reaching out and letting the world know it’s ok not to be ok, and to ask twice! We all say , yeah I’m fine, but if someone asks again, but really, are you ok… then maybe People will say how they’re really doing. Landy has suffered so much pain and loss , such an inspiration to all and to others who have lost loved ones in such a sad way. Her semicolon event was a knockout as was dance with the dragonfly . Look forward to the next event. Thankyou for all you do , and for being the most beautiful selfless soul ! You sure can throw a partyyyyy!
Loved, loved, loved the night….the music, the atmosphere, the cause and most importantly how it raised awareness. Fantastic event and an amazing woman. Looking forward to the next event.
It is ok, not to be ok…something we should all be comfortable with expressing ❤️