For the bereaved families we support, Christmas is often a time filled with grief, memories bittersweet or even painful. And it’s not just memories that evoke pain: the bunny comforter, worn from love, that they cuddled as they slept; the bike in the garage that saw a different adventure every weekend; their favourite book that was read 100 times over – these treasured objects, full of memories, can be unbearable reminders of a child who is no longer here. For some of the families we support, this will be their first Christmas without their child. For others, the pain returns year after year – sharp, silent and often invisible to the world around them. On average, five children sadly die every week in our area. For many of those families, their child’s death will be completely unexpected, sudden. We meet families in the rawest moments of grief – sometimes just hours after their child has died. And that support continues through the weeks, months and years that follow.
Louisa, Family Support Worker
How your donation helps
Families were supported by our bereavement service this year.
Face-to face and telephone contacts were made to bereaved families.
New families have been referred to our bereavement service in the last 12 months.
Bereaved families have attended one or more of our events this year.
Recent donations
Gareth Sherwood
Sending with love x
Oleksandr Smirnov
eileen mcconnell
I am grieving the loss of my darling younger sister who passed away in February so even more aware of the … Read more
I am grieving the loss of my darling younger sister who passed away in February so even more aware of the importance of Shooting Star for those who grieve alone
Helen Brook
In memory of our son Matthew. Shooting star Chase supported him and the whole family. They are … Read more
In memory of our son Matthew. Shooting star Chase supported him and the whole family. They are amazing. Thank you. X
Tony Grant
Aidan Roche
Anne Reeves
Kerrie Jackson
Peter Scudamore
Adele Payne
Helen Thabrew
Instead of sending out company Christmas cards, we’d love to make a donation to a fantastic local … Read more
Instead of sending out company Christmas cards, we’d love to make a donation to a fantastic local charity. Movo Woking Ltd t/as CCS Insurance