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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Alan Weston

Amazing girl, 11, moves street to tears singing You'll Never Walk Alone

An 11-year-old girl brought her neighbours to tears with her rendition of You'll Never Walk Alone in the middle of the street.

Jess McDonald's stunning performance of the song took place immediately after the weekly Clap for Carers last night.

She brought Severn Road in Rainhill to a standstill after launching into the LFC anthem, which has now also become one of the signature tunes of the lockdown.

Proud mum Jackie said: "We've got a fantastic community and every Thursday we come out and do the clap for the NHS workers.

"Jess just decided to give the neighbours a song. She chose it not because it's a footballing song, but because of the words to bring people together.

"We set up the equipment and all the neighbours were waving their arms in the air and singing along with her. There was one lady who was crying her eyes out because it was so moving.

"After we posted the video on Facebook, it went mad. It's been viewed over a million times and we've had messages from all over the world."

Music runs in Jess's family - both mum Jackie and dad Gary are performing musicians, who are currently out of work because of the lockdown.

Jackie said: "We're not working at the moment because all the venues have closed, but what better way to spend your time than cheering people up?"

Jess has been singing since she was a five-year-old, when she won a talent show. She's performed at the Liverpool Empire and at St George's Hall. She lives and breathes it, she's just a natural talent."

Both Jess and her dad are staunch Reds fans - with Gary singing the song to her even while she was in the womb!

As well as You'll Never Walk Alone, she also sang Hey Jude and Tomorrow (from the musical Annie) to entertain her lucky neighbours last night.

In September, she is due to start at St Edward's College on a music scholarship.

She said: "I couldn't believe the reaction the video got.

"It was a bit nerve-racking seeing everyone looking at me while I was doing the song, but I could see from people's faces they were enjoying it."

Among the many people leaving comments after the video was first shared on social media was Natalie Armstrong, who said: "So beautiful. Well done, so brave and stunning.... gorgeous young lady, thanks for making people smile."

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