A 10-year-old North East author who lost her father in a racing accident has won funding to help bereaved children after reaching out to the family of boxing legend Ricky Hatton.
Daisy Blu Mathison, from Newton Aycliffe, began writing children's books to help bereaved children understand they are not alone in their grief.
Daisy was just three years old when her father, County Durham motorcycle racer Daley Mathison, was killed during the Isle of Man TT in 2019.
In the years since, she has channelled her own experience of loss into a children's book, Hugsy Brightheart and the Missing Star, which helps young readers understand grief and find comfort after losing someone they love.
Daisy with her book, Hugsy Brightheart and the Missing Star. (Image: Natalie Mathison)
After hearing about boxer Ricky Hatton’s death last year, Daisy reached out to his family.
Knowing first-hand how devastating bereavement can be, she sent copies of her book to them as a simple gesture of kindness and support.
The Ricky Hatton Foundation was set up by the family of the British boxer, who passed away in September 2025. (Image: PA)
The Ricky Hatton Foundation contacted Daisy after learning about her story and Hugsy Brightheart to discuss supporting her work.
The foundation has now given Daisy a grant to help her continue developing as an author, and reach more children and families experiencing grief across the country.
Daisy Blu Mathison's Hugsy Brightheart books were inspired by her own journey with grief after losing her father, Daley Mathison, in 2019. (Image: Natalie Mathison)
The partnership combines Ricky’s legacy with Daisy’s determination to support bereaved children when they need it most.
Daisy’s father, Daley, was a popular road racer from Stockton, who competed in events including the Isle of Man TT.
He died aged 27 after crashing on the third lap of the Supersport race at the 2019 TT.
Hundreds of mourners lined the streets for his funeral to pay their respects, with members of the road racing community joining family and friends to celebrate his life.
Daisy's father - motorcycle racer Daley Mathison - who was killed in the Isle of Man TT in 2019 after crashing his bike on the third lap. (Image: Provided)
Daisy published Hugsy Brightheart and the Missing Star last year to share her experience of grief.
The book follows Hugsy - a character learning to navigate loss and understand the complex emotions that come with losing someone.
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Daisy hopes to continue raising awareness of childhood bereavement and supporting both children and adults affected by grief.
She wants to reassure children that their feelings are valid while helping adults feel more confident discussing loss and supporting bereaved children.
Most importantly, Daisy wants to show families that grief should never be a taboo subject, and that nobody should ever feel they have to face it alone.