Epic London challenges to support TWO South West bereaved families

A team on trustees from a South West charity have raised enough money to fund respite holidays for TWO local families suffering the bereavement of a child under 19.

Charlie's Star supports those who've lost a child, through any reason, to offer them a break away in Cornwall to reflect, remember and find a way forward.

The charity was set up by the family of Charlie Burns, from Bulford, Wiltshire, who passed away with a rare, undetected form of epilepsy - SUDEP - at the age of 10 in 2011.

Charlie's mum, Jan Burns, who now lives in Truro, along with Kyra Orchard, Sarah Hirst from Amesbury and Carol Musgrove from Salisbury, have been raising money for the cause by taking on the London Bridge Challenge TWICE.

That was a 50 kilometre walk through the capital, crossing the bridges over the Thames, that took the group a total of 9 hours and 50 minutes.

Jan Burns says they just want to help others:

"Of course we support every bereaved family in the South West that's lost a child under the age of 19, but the pandemic has brought its own additional problems and bereavements that families are dealing with.

"It just breaks me that we as trustees are having to sit down and read the horrendous stories of families that are left behind."

The original target for the challenge was £2,000 - enough to fund one family break, provided by Charlie's Star.

They've managed to more than double that target though, raising £4,196 - which will fund two respite breaks.

There's still a chance to support the effort through the team's JustGiving page.

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