Before the charity began in 1995, bereaved children were being referred to mental health services for support unnecessarily. Penhaligon’s Friends started running groups, memory days and offering advice to parents and carers and is the only children’s bereavement charity within Cornwall. Without them, the responsibility would fall on health, education and social care whose services are already stretched. Over the years their services have grown to offer support through groups, 1-1 and schools, helping 596 children and young people last year.
Hoping to raise the full £2,000 of matched funding available in the Charity Begins in Cornwall campaign, Julie Parker, manager of Penhaligon’s Friends explains how they would use the money. “We would use the funds to continue to support our children, young people and families ensuring there isn’t a delay in our services. The support that we offer can make a significant difference to the way a child manages their grief.”
“We were able to support Peter, age 11, when his mum and sister were killed in a car crash, he was also a passenger in the car. Peter broke both his legs in the crash. Peter had some family and 1-1 support in the early days to help him come to terms with the loss, and then a few years later was able to come to a memory day with his Dad. He went on to attend our teens support group and he is now a 17 year old young man, with an apprenticeship in a local garage. Peter and his Dad wanted to acknowledge the support we had offered them and completed a local sponsored walk to raise over £1000 for us. Peter was then selected to take part in BBC Children in Need’s Rickshaw Challenge in November 2013, cycling 500 miles!”
One of the biggest challenges the charity faces is raising awareness of their cause. Through the Localgiving.com campaign, Penhaligon’s Friends are hoping to create bigger profile for themselves as the only charity of its kind in Cornwall and raise money which goes directly to those it is intended for.
“We provide local support throughout the whole of the county and our services are mainly led by trained volunteers. Our employed staff are funded through grants so any donations go directly to supporting bereaved Cornish families.”
For more information about Penhaligon’s Friends, please go to their Localgiving webpage.