A letter can mean the world

Midge Ure was the unsung hero of Live Aid and Band Aid, which raised millions to help the poor and starving in Africa.

He was content to stay in the background 30 years ago while fiery Bob Geldof passionately pleaded for us all to donate money.

They both shared a deep commitment to the charity and they also had a lot in common, including the fact they were both fathers to four daughters.

Midge has a 27-year-old daughter, Molly, with first wife Annabel Giles, and three girls, Kitty, Ruby and Flossie, with his second wife Sheridan.

Bob had Fifi, Peaches and Pixie with the late Paula Yates, and also takes care of Tiger, Paula’s daughter with Michael Hutchence, who committed suicide back in 1997.

Of course, Bob’s daughter Peaches was shockingly found dead last month, and you do wonder how much more tragedy this poor family can take.

This week Midge revealed that he wrote his old friend a letter from the heart after the death of Peaches and said it was “a father to father letter” that he found “hideously difficult” to write.

It is always incredibly tough to know what to say to anyone who has experienced a death in the family, especially when it is someone so heartbreakingly young.

Peaches was only 25 and had her whole life ahead of her, and she leaves behind two very young little boys.

All you can do is express your sorrow and be there for the person who is racked with pain and grief. Sometimes just a card, a letter or a hug can mean a lot.

So many of us just don’t know what to say and some people have admitted they cut off all contact or would even cross the road to avoid talking to someone going though a bereavement.

Midge says that as a father he can’t begin to imagine what Bob has been through and he also expressed sympathy and concern for Tiger.

This little girl lost her dad and her mum and now has to cope with the death of her beloved big sister.

Tiger is only 17 and has been through so much, although by all accounts she is a very strong girl and, not surprisingly, wise beyond her years.

Bob said at the time that his family was fractured but not broken. Much as that letter was tough for Midge to write, I am sure Bob really appreciated hearing from his old friend.