New Storytellers

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New Storytellers: Sara's Spirit

Sara's Spirit

BBC Radio 4 - New Storytellers, Sara's Spirit

After a tragic terror attack in London, the lives of two parents changed forever.

The story of Sara, a young Australian woman who was caught up in one of London's deadliest terror attacks. Five years on, her loved ones are keeping her memory alive.

On the evening of 3rd June 2017, three extremists drove a hired van over London Bridge, mounting the crowded pavement repeatedly before going on a rampage through Borough Market. This attack took eight innocent people's lives, including 21 year old Sara Zelenak.

Sara's Spirit tells the story of a young woman from Brisbane, Australia, who got caught up in the tragedy. Five years on, her parents Julie and Mark are keeping her memory alive, as they navigate the grief of losing their child.

This series of New Storytellers is presenting the winners of the Charles Parker Prize for the Best Student Radio Feature 2022. However, for editorial reasons, the fourth prize winning feature will be broadcast at a later date.  So, although Goldsmiths’ College student Anna Budd's feature, Sara's Spirit, was not one of the five winners it was very highly commended by the judging panel and so earns a place in this series. The judges said it was a "very accomplished, professional piece" for its "harrowing and emotionally immersive" exploration of grief and loss. "It ‘didn’t sugar-coat the impact of the tragedy."

Producer: Anna Budd
A Soundscape production for BBC Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Factual: Life Stories

New work from winners of the Charles Parker Prize for the Best Student Radio Feature.

New work by radio and audio producers new to BBC Radio 4 from the five winners of this year's Charles Parker Prize for the Best Student Radio Feature.

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