‘Families who lose a child should get more support’

BEREAVEMENT charity 2 Wish Upon a Star is calling on the Welsh Government to provide support services to families who lose a child suddenly.

The charity is today handing over a petition, urging the Welsh Government to provide essential support for a service in Wales to ensure families receive the crucial bereavement support they need.

The charity was set up by Rhian Mannings after she and her husband Paul experienced the heartache of losing their baby son George. They left the hospital heartbroken, confused and bewildered with no support. Five days later, Paul took his own life.

The petition, which has more than 5,000 signatures, is calling on the National Assembly for Wales to urge the Welsh Government to provide essential support to families of children aged 25 and under who die suddenly.

Rhian, who set up the charity in 2012, said it’s paramount that no other family has to live through the nightmare she did when she lost George and then Paul: “In February 2012 my son George died suddenly in an emergency unit in Wales. We walked out into the night with nothing, alone and frightened.

“Nobody came, nobody reached out to support us and it was left to devastated friends and family to support my husband Paul and I. Five days after we lost our son my surviving two young children and I faced more heartache when Paul took his own life. Once again nobody came.”

Rhian added: “Families require support immediately after such loss.”

2 Wish Upon A Star already works with every health board in Wales and is supported by every police force.

The National Assembly for Wales Petition Committee will examine the petition and decide on next steps.