Kimberley Walsh, 41, has opened up about fulfilling a promise to her late Girls Aloud bandmate Sarah Harding, who died in 2021 at the age of 39 after a battle with breast cancer.
Kimberley talked about managing to raise £1 million for cancer charities last year following the death of her friend and co-star when she appeared on James Martin’s Saturday Morning.
Describing the fundraising events, Kimberley explained how they had been “ridiculously emotional” and “overwhelming”.
Chef James Martin, 50, recalled being friends with the late singer, who he described as being able to “transform a room”.
After talking about Kimberley’s presenting role on BBC’s Morning Live, James turned the focus to Girls Aloud.
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“You’ve done this amazing evening, you’ve raised over £1 million,” he stated.
“Yeah, we raised over £1 million,” Kimberley confirmed, adding: “I mean, I know you knew Sarah personally as well.
“And her wish, among meeting you and having dinner and cooking with you, was for us to basically try and raise money for a research project that her doctor was doing.
“So it’s research into why younger women basically get breast cancer.”
The television personality continued: “It is becoming more and more common.
“And so we managed, from the funds of the night, to fund the whole rest of that research project, which was incredible.
“And we also raised some extra money for the hospital that looked after Sarah.”
Detailing the sadness that came with the achievement, Kimberley added: “It was a hugely successful night, but as you can imagine, like ridiculously emotional and overwhelming at the same time.
“But I just felt like we promised her that we would do that and I think she would have been happy that we managed to do it.”
“She certainly would,” James agreed before reflecting on his own friendship with the late star.
“And I remember meeting her and that’s how we became friends…
“But she walked into the room… There’s not many people who can walk into a room like that and transform a room.”
“Yeah, completely,” Kimberley smiled as she remembered Sarah.
James asked: “Was she always like that? Because it’s a magical thing.”
“She was magical,” Kimberley replied. “I think Nicola [Roberts] called her our electric girl, and she literally was like electricity in a room.”
James Martin’s Saturday Morning airs weekly from 9.30am on ITV.
