CAITLIN'S STORY
We are beyond delighted that Certified Madness will be performing at Preston Summerfest 25. Their Lead Singer, Barry Goodsell, was very keen to be involved. His beautiful daughter, Caitlin Goodsell, was supported by Demelza, who we are fundraising for. All of the profits from this festival will go to good causes, including Demelza. They are an incredible charity who provide respite and palliative care to children with life limiting illnesses and we are very pleased to support them and the incredible work that they do.
Please scroll down to read Caitlin's story written by her dad Barry. We hope that you will come and support him and Demelza at Summerfest in August.
CAITLIN GOODSELL
26TH APRIL2005- 1ST APRIL 2023
Caitlin’s Story – By Her Dad, Barry Goodsell
Caitlin was the most amazing person you could ever meet. I know every parent says that, but she truly was. She touched so many lives in her 17 years, and I feel privileged to have been her dad.
She had a tough start—born with congenital heart disease, she had her first operation at four months old. At four years old, she suffered a stroke that robbed her of the use of her right arm and limited her right leg. She had been about to start school, already ahead of her years, able to count to 20 and write her name. The stroke was a massive setback, but Caitlin didn’t let it define her. She learned to do everything with her left hand—writing, cooking, sewing, knitting, even horse riding. Nothing stopped her.
But Caitlin was never just an “ill girl.” She was full of life, always learning, always striving. She had an incredible way of seeing the good in people. If I got annoyed with another driver, she’d remind me, “Maybe they’ve just had bad news, Daddy.” She was wise beyond her years, with a heart full of kindness.
A huge part of Caitlin’s life was Demelza. From a young age, they provided respite care, counselling support, and, most importantly, a place where she felt happy and safe. She loved going there. They always went out of their way to make sure she had the best time. As she got older and became a teenager with her own life, she stayed there less, but they were always there for her—and for us as a family.
She had some incredible experiences. At eight, we appeared on Surprise, Surprise and went to LA to visit DreamWorks. There, she met Ross King, and they became genuine friends. He’d check in on her, meet up when he was in the UK, bring her Christmas presents. But Caitlin never bragged—she just saw him as a friend. She also did a voiceover for a Demelza advert, spoke on Songs of Praise, and was interviewed on BBC Breakfast about being on the heart transplant list. But she never saw herself as special. She didn’t even see herself as disabled—she always felt lucky.
She had an incredible sense of humour. One of our favourite games was on train rides to London—she’d mouth the words of a meal, and I had to guess. But her big teeth made it hard to form the words, so she’d start laughing, I’d guess wrong, and we’d both end up in hysterics. She had that effect on people—her massage therapist once told me she had an amazing energy and that she stayed in his thoughts every day.
Her bond with her big brother, Samuel, was unbreakable. He’s a combat medic in the army, and she adored him. No matter how bad she felt, the moment he walked in, her face would light up.
On March 29, 2023, Caitlin was admitted to hospital for the last time. Even that day, we were laughing—I was feeding her like when she was a baby, playing aeroplanes with her food. Ingrid took a photo of us in that moment—me pulling a silly face, Caitlin laughing uncontrollably. I never imagined it would be our last photo together.
Losing Caitlin has devastated our family. She was my best friend, my soul mate. The pain is unbearable, made worse by knowing she should still be here. Caitlin was showing signs of rejection, but action was not taken soon enough. My beautiful, vibrant girl should not be gone.
Caitlin was the heart of our family. She was strong, kind, and full of life. She was loved beyond words, and she will never, ever be forgotten.