HANNAH AMY RIDDELL
23.12.2007 - 14.01.2025
Hannah's Story
This bench is placed here for all to remember Hannah.
Hannah was born at Wansbeck General Hospital on the 23rd of December 2007 — a very healthy 9lb 7oz bouncing baby girl. She spent a happy childhood living in Ashington, attending school first at Central Primary, then Central Upper, and later moving on to Ashington Academy, where she gained her GCSEs. She had secured her place at Newcastle College to study Travel and Tourism and was pursuing her dream of travelling the world.
Hannah was a very likeable young girl who had many friends and a loving family who adored her.
Sadly, Hannah was cruelly taken from us all on the 14th of January 2025 after a very brave battle with Hodgkin lymphoma.
It was a sunny day in August 2024 when Hannah came downstairs and announced that she had discovered a lump in her armpit. After a visit to A&E, followed by scans and tests, she received the devastating news that Hannah had Stage 4B Hodgkins lymphoma — a type of cancer affecting the lymph nodes. Hannah required six rounds of chemotherapy at the children’s oncology ward at Newcastle’s RVI. She was reassured that her chances were very good and that this type of cancer could be effectively treated.
Hannah Amy Riddell
23.12.2007 -
14.01.2025
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Click the images below to find out more about these organisations and how you can support them.
Hannah fought an incredibly brave battle over a five-month period, at times being very poorly from the treatment and coping with the trauma of losing her hair. Her family rallied around her, and friends gave support when she was feeling low. Eventually, the end of her cancer journey was in sight. On the 7th of January 2025, Hannah and her family received the news they had longed to hear — Hannah was in remission, and there were no signs of cancer in her body. The relief was immeasurable. Hannah could start planning her life again, beginning with a family holiday abroad.
However, exactly one week later, Hannah was due to go to the hospital for a routine blood test and was feeling unwell. It seemed like nothing unusual and caused no real concern. But after just a few hours in the hospital, Hannah suddenly and unexpectedly became very unwell and deteriorated rapidly. Emergency teams were called and fought so hard to save her, but devastatingly, Hannah could not be saved. She passed away on the 14th of January 2025 at just 17 years old.
Her cause of death was found to be sepsis, a result of complications from chemotherapy. The cruel reality is that she had beaten cancer, but she is no longer here to tell her story.
This bench sits here to tell her story for her and to raise awareness of the importance of recognising the signs of cancer, particularly in teenagers.
