Charity ready to honour memory of brave Hannah
ACHARITY to help people cope with grief has been in launched in memory of a 23-year-old woman from Bramhall.
The Hannah Whitley Foundation was set up for the young woman of the same name, who was killed in a road accident while travelling in India.
Hannah was riding a motorbike which was in a collision with a truck in Goa on December 22, 2017.
She and another British tourist, Daniel John, aged 38, died in the crash.
In the months after the accident, Hannah’s mum Nicola turned to yoga and meditation to help her cope with her grief, and it soon became a vital tool for her to get through everyday life.
When speaking to her yoga teacher about how expensive classes can be, Nicola was inspired to raise funds in Hannah’s memory, so as to offer yoga and meditation for free to those who need it.
Nicola said: “My darling girl has such a special spirit, she was passionate about everyone having a fair and equal chance in life, so I know she’d support what we’re doing in her name.
“At times over the past few months, the hours spent on my yoga mat have been my only solace, and I want to be able to offer others who can’t afford it this lifeline.
“You don’t know how powerful yoga can be until you try it, so our aim is to give everyone the opportunity to do just that.”
Hannah’s family and friends have already raised more than £15,000 through the foundation.
A launch event on what would have been Hannah’s 24th birthday – May 4 – was supported by hundreds of people, and weekly donations-only yoga classes at Dance at the Smithy in Bramhall bring in regular funds.
The foundation also now has merchandise, including branded hoodies and water bottles. A charity ball for 200 people on Friday, September 14, at the Hallmark Hotel in Handforth has boosted cash supplies further.
Now the charity’s trustees are planning to contact other charities that support people coping with grief or mental health issues, to offer free yoga and meditation classes.
Nicola said: “Hannah had a unique personality – her vitality, passion and, above all, love of life was infectious, and it touched everybody who knew her.
“Her spirit was rare and it will live on through this foundation.”
Yoga classes are held on Tuesdays at 7pm at Dance at the Smithy, Lumb Lane, Bramhall.