The Children’s Bereavement Centre in Newark has enlisted the help of its special teddy bears to launch its Christmas fundraising campaign during Children’s Grief Awareness Week.

The charity, which supports hundreds of children and their families each year, is asking the public for donations of just £6 – the equivalent of what it costs to buy a teddy bear that will comfort a bereaved child during the festive period and beyond.

The Children’s Bereavement Centre presents hundreds of bears each year to those who access its services, which is just one of the resources they use to help children express their feelings and cope with their grief.

‘When I’m sad, I can always hug my bear’ is the strapline for the campaign being launched today to promote the significance of these bears for a child experiencing loss.

Caz Froggatt, Corporate and Community Engagement Co-ordinator at the Children’s Bereavement Centre, explained: “When a child has experienced significant trauma, from which they may be getting flashbacks, they are encouraged to cuddle and stroke their teddy bears until the feelings pass.

“Everyone manages their grief in different ways, but most can relate to the support and comfort that a teddy bear can provide; they are synonymous with feeling safe and are also used in all sorts of crisis situations by hospitals, police forces and in social care thanks to their ability to help a scared, hurt or grieving child to handle fear, anxiety and the unknown by easing stress and soothing tears.”

Donations will also help raise vital funds to ensure the charity is able to support even more children next year, and are especially crucial following a recent cut to its funding of over £25,000.

Caz added: “Our campaign has been months in the planning and we’re excited to see it being launched during Grief Awareness Week, which runs from Thursday 16^th until Wednesday 22^nd November.

“The theme for the week this year is ‘you are not alone’, which fits perfectly with the support we provide – including our comfort bears.

“Keep an eye on our social media channels, where we’ll be sharing poems and genuine stories from the point of view of the children’s bears.

“We understand this time of year is notoriously expensive for most people, but we rely heavily on support from the local community so are grateful to anyone who is fortunate enough to be able to spare a few pounds to help children struggling to cope with the loss of a loved one.”

To donate £6 to the Children’s Bereavement Centre, text ‘BEAR06 £6’ to 70070 or visit www.childrensbereavementcentre.co.uk/comfortbear.

Follow the campaign on social media by visiting www.facebook.com/CBCNewark and twitter.com/CBereavementC.

Ends

Notes to Editors:
• The Children’s Bereavement Centre is a registered charity that provides pre-bereavement, bereavement and loss support to hundreds of children and young people aged three to 18. All the children and young people who receive support have experienced trauma due to terminal illness, death or the divorce or separation.
• The charity’s services are available to anyone living in Nottinghamshire and parts of Lincolnshire.
• Between 2015 and 2016 the Children’s Bereavement Centre supported more than 600 children, young people and their families.
• The charity aims to ensure that children, young people and their families receive timely support so they can remain healthy and in education and go on to reach their full potential.
• Its free support services include one-to-one children’s support, play therapy, filial therapy and peer groups as well as counselling and support for parents and carers.
• Full address: Children’s Bereavement Centre, 3 Kings Road, Newark, Notts NG24 1EW
• For more information visit: www.childrensbereavementcentre.co.uk

For media information, please contact:
Zoe Lamb
zoe@weareshootingstar.co.uk
Shooting Star
01522 528540
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