Thousands raised for child bereavement service

Thousands of pounds have been raised to help support a local hospice’s bereavement service for children.

St Peter’s Church in Thurston has handed over £4,106 to St Nicholas Hospice Care, and the funds will be used to support their Nicky’s Way service, which helps children and young people facing grief.

Last year, the church ran its initiative ‘By the Young for the Young,’ which aimed to give youngsters the chance to have experiences they had missed out on mainly due to the pandemic, and they decided to raise some money for a good cause, too.

To raise funds, the church organised several activities, including concerts, workshops and displays involving students from local schools, St Martin’s Voices, The Voice Squad, a family walkathon and online auction, which saw more than 40 local businesses kindly provide lots.

One such auction lot was enjoyed by a family who received support from Nicky’s Way, who had a special festive-themed trip to Melford Hall.

Vicky Butler’s children were supported by Nicky’s Way following the death of Vicky’s brother and their nanny.

Vicky said: “We were very thankful for the gift to go and have the day together to make some happy memories, and we really appreciate everything that Nicky’s Way has done and is doing to support my children.”

Nicky’s Way supports children and young people aged five to 18 who are bereaved due to any cause of death, and no prior connection to the hospice is needed.

Help offered can include one-to-one counselling or support sessions, and bereavement groups that run throughout the year provide peer support and friendship alongside the therapeutic work in a creative and fun setting.

George Chilvers, the hospice’s community fundraising manager, said: “We are really grateful to everyone at St Peter’s Church for all of their support. To have raised more than £4,000 is fantastic, and I know this money will make a big difference to our Nicky’s Way service and the children it supports.

“Thank you, St Peter’s Church, and thank you to everyone who got behind them and supported their fundraising.”