Fourteen-year-old Izzy from West Lavington in Wiltshire has been selected to perform in the 2026 BBC Children in Need Choir, bringing his love for music to national television on 13 November despite living with cerebral palsy and chronic pain.
Izzy Finds Freedom Through Music and Volunteering
Born nine weeks premature, 14-year-old Izzy spent the first month of his life at Salisbury District Hospital, according to Yahoo. When his family noticed he wasn’t developing as quickly as other babies—failing to sit, crawl, or walk—he was eventually diagnosed with cerebral palsy at age two and a half.
Some days, he struggles to get around because of pain caused by his condition. He also lives with a spinal problem where his bones rub together, which affects his daily life and leaves him feeling uncomfortable and fatigued. Named after Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Izzy walks with splints on his lower legs to help with balance.
Yet when he picks up a guitar or starts singing, his daily reality changes entirely.
Music takes me to a different place, into how the music is described and the places they are – that’s where I’m escaping to
Known by friends and family as the happiest person in the world
, Izzy maintains an upbeat outlook that surprises those around him. Yes it’s true, I’m known for always smiling. I do things that are happy. I think it makes other people feel better too,
he said.
His mum, Rachael, shared her perspective on his approach to daily life: He just loves life and makes the best of everything. He likes to talk, to be involved, to help.
That desire to help extends to the West Lavington Youth Club (WLYC), where Izzy has attended for five years and recently started volunteering to assist younger children. The club has received funding from Children In Need in the past.
Izzy Prepares for the BBC Children in Need Choir Broadcast
The chance to perform on national television came as an overwhelming surprise. Izzy has been selected to join the choir for the 2026 BBC Children in Need Choir, an opportunity he describes in straightforward terms.
It’s really exciting, a once-in-a-lifetime experience to do something that special
The ensemble is scheduled to perform a mash-up of ‘Stargazing’ by Myles Smith and the Candi Staton classic ‘You Got The Love’ during the national Children in Need broadcast on 13 November.
Rachael described the upcoming broadcast as a crazy, crazy dream
come true, adding that her son remains completely blown away
by the opportunity. Izzy notes that the sheer excitement of performing alongside the choir outweighs any pre-show nerves.
