A CHARITY which helps children and families cope with the death of a loved one has received a cash boost to support its work.
Daisy’s Dream provides free professional support to bereaved families facing or following the death of somebody close to them.
The charity has been in operation for more than 25 years, and currently helps around 800 children every year. The funds donated by David Wilson Homes will enable it to support three bereaved families for the next 12 months.
Vicky Maunder, fundraising manager at Daisy’s Dream, said: “I was thrilled to hear the news that Daisy’s Dream would receive a donation of £1,500. I applied for the funds when my friends and I decided to take on the virtual London Marathon last October, in an effort to boost our fundraising.
“This donation means that even more bereaved families will benefit from the support of our charity – this makes all the many hours of training and the challenge of 26.2 miles on marathon day even more worthwhile.
“Daisy’s Dream receives no government funding for our work and, whilst we do receive a small amount of grant funding from charitable trusts and organisations, we are primarily reliant on donations from our local communities.”
The donation was made through the Barratt Developments Charitable Foundation which is designed to support national and local charities, large and small, to leave a legacy in the communities in which the housebuilder operates.
The charity’s work has been shown to help reduce the risk of future mental health, social, and educational difficulties by allowing children the time they need to explore and express their grief. It also helps children to understand what has happened and move forwards in a positive way.
Added Vicky: “In these challenging financial times, we need support more than ever to help raise the £500,000 we need this year to deliver our service to those in need.
“As a resident at David Wilson Homes’ River Meadow in Stanford in the Vale, I believe it’s important for successful businesses to ‘give back’ to the local communities in which they operate, and it’s great to see a scheme that means regular donations are made to support worthwhile local causes such as Daisy’s Dream.”
The charity’s team of professionally qualified Therapeutic Practitioners offer help, advice and guidance over the phone to families, and to professionals including teachers who may be working with a bereaved child.
Where needed, they are also able to support children and young people directly through face-to-face, one-to-one sessions, on an outreach basis. As every family’s experience is different, the support that they receive is uniquely tailored to fit.
In addition to this support, families are encouraged to participate in specialist group events, where they can meet with others facing similar circumstances. This therapeutic group work helps to break down the isolation so commonly felt by those affected by serious illness and bereavement, and also provides an important opportunity for the children and young people to have fun.
Campbell Gregg, managing director at David Wilson Homes Southern, said: “We are proud to support excellent local charities like Daisy’s Dream, which provides valuable support to families and children during their most difficult times.
“At David Wilson Homes, we understand the importance of community and the role we can play in supporting those around us. We hope our donation will help make a positive difference in the lives of those who are grieving.”
For more information about the charity, or to make a donation, visit the website www.daisysdream.org.uk
