World-renowned musician Sting moved one of his devoted fans to tears with a deeply personal gesture during his concert at Westonbirt Arboretum on June 18. Bex Kemp, from Gloucester, attended the show despite facing tremendous challenges following a stroke in 2019. At just 32 years old, Bex suffered a brain stem stroke that left her with Locked-in syndrome, paralyzing her from the neck down and restricting her ability to speak, eat, or drink—though her mind remains fully aware.
Accompanied by her family—parents John and Ronnie Kemp and brother Richard—Bex traveled to the outdoor venue near Tetbury for Sting’s British leg of the Sting 3.0 world tour. Before the event, the Kemp family handed a note to an official, hoping to catch Sting’s attention with Bex’s story. To their astonishment, artist liaison manager Andy Greaney bypassed normal procedures and promptly delivered the message directly to the star.
Sting’s response was immediate and heartwarming: he invited Bex and a companion backstage to meet him in person. John Kemp recalls, “He was incredibly kind, holding both of her hands and giving her kisses.” Wearing a striking black and yellow striped outfit inspired by Sting’s style, Bex expressed her joy, saying, “After Sting held my hands, he picked up my spelling book communication system, read some messages, and said, ‘I’m really interested in your spelling system, and I’m going to sing for you.’”
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Bex’s connection to Sting runs deep. “I’ve always loved Sting,” she said. “When we used to holiday in France, my mum and I would sing ‘Fields of Gold’ in the car and at the places where we stayed.”
The emotional encounter left Bex overwhelmed with happiness, shedding tears of joy as Sting’s genuine kindness shone through. John added, “Sting smiled when I told him how impressed we were that despite his fame, he maintained such a caring nature.”
The family’s experience was further enhanced by special accommodations. Knowing Bex’s medical needs, John mentioned to Greaney that she would need to leave promptly to return to The Dean Neurological Centre in Gloucester for medication. The event staff provided exclusive passes, allowing Bex and her family to exit with priority behind Sting’s vehicle, bypassing the traffic queue.
This touching moment exemplifies Sting’s compassion and the powerful impact of music, bringing hope and joy to fans facing life’s toughest challenges.