Jade on brink of tears at special gig

Samantha Jade held back tears as she performed for seriously ill children and their families at Ronald McDonald House in Subiaco at the weekend.

After losing her mum to cancer in June, the Perth pop star knows only too well how illness can affect a family.

"My mum, she battled really hard and she fought so hard for six months," Jade said.

"When she was told she had two weeks (to live), it was really hard. I know what I went through, you feel so helpless . . . that was one of the hardest things with my mum, that feeling of helplessness that you can't do enough.

"But she just said to me 'you just make me smile every day', and that is all I want to give - if I can make people smile I am there."

But the 2012 X Factor winner was determined to battle through the performance without shedding a tear while looking out at the wide-eyed faces of some of her young fans.

"If you are performing and you cry, it is selfish," she said.

"I wanted it to be about the kids so you go to another place in your mind and you perform, that is what you do."

Samantha Jade performs at Perth's Ronald McDonald House. Picture: Nic Ellis/ The West Australian

The 27-year-old made the special visit to help celebrate the 21st birthday of Perth's Ronald McDonald House Charity's Mercedes-Benz Ball.

Since it began, the annual charity ball has helped raise millions to help regional WA families by providing them with a home-away-from-home and a place to live together, while their seriously ill child receives treatment at Princess Margaret Hospital.

After her performance, Jade interacted with the kids, but it was holding 10-month-old Harley Jarvis that really hit home.

"It just makes me think 'What can we do to help in any way we can'," Jade said after cradling Harley in her arms as his proud dad Aaron watched.

Samantha Jade cuts's the Ronald McDonald House Ball's 21st birthday cake. Picture: Nic Ellis/ The West Australian

Mr Jarvis told of Harley's rare condition, Trisomy 9 Mosaic, a chromosome disorder, which has meant the baby has spent just two weeks out of hospital.

Mr Jarvis is based in Bunbury with his wife and three other children, so the Jarvis family has had to depend on Ronald McDonald House.

"It means everything to us," Mr Jarvis said.

"I can't imagine life without the House. I haven't got a job because Harley is an ICU baby and needs 24-hour care."

Samantha Jade meets kids at Perth's Ronald McDonald House. Picture: Nic Ellis/ The West Australian

For the House’s weekend supervisor Lindsay Walsh, Jade’s visit was extra special because she saw some of the kids smile for the first time in weeks.

“It is a really special occasion for them; it makes them smile rather than thinking about something sad,” Ms Walsh said.

“These are the occasions that make this place really special.

“It is nice to see people like Samantha come along who don’t have to. Doing it out of the kindness of their hearts to make the kids smile.”