A charity supporting bereaved children in East Devon and Exeter celebrated its 20th birthday with a party to mark two decades of supporting youngsters through their grief.
Balloons child bereavement charity, helping youngsters aged between five and 25, and their families, marked its milestone anniversary with a host of invited guests, local dignitaries, staff, and volunteers during an evening in Exeter.
The charity, which has a small team of six part-time staff and 45 volunteers, offers a range of support to local young people aged between five and 25- years-old across Exeter, East and Mid Devon, stepping in when someone significant in their life dies, or is about to die, including one-to-one grief support sessions for children, telephone advice for families and school staff. Balloons also hosts activity days, and training for professionals.
Invited guests and local dignitaries celebrated the charity’s 20th anniversary at a party in Exeter. Photo: with permission.
Nicola Clarke, Balloons CEO, said: “We are proud to have reached this milestone –a huge achievement for a small charity like ours.
“We have helped thousands of bereaved children, young people and their families since we started and our service is still desperately needed.
“Our ability to help depends entirely on the generosity of grants and donations. Raising funds can be very challenging, and support from the local community is vital in helping us to continue our work. If you think you could support us, we’d love to hear from you.”
The charity has been supporting bereaved children and young people for two decades. Photo: with permission.
Volunteers and staff, past and present, celebrated 20 years of supporting bereaved children and young people through the Balloons charity. Photo: with permission.
Children who have been supported by Balloons charity include Martha, who was supported for a number of years after she was left struggling with her grief when her grandparents died.
The charity stepped in to support James, helping him to understand and cope with his emotions, after learning his brother had a life-limiting condition.
As well as providing sessions in school to talk, Balloons offered James continued support to help him when his brother’s end-of-life care begins.
Local dignitaries were at the Balloons charity anniversary party. Photo: with permission.
invited guests, local dignitaries, staff, and volunteers marked the charity’s 20th anniversary. Photo: with permission.
Both Martha and James this year tackled a walk from Exmouth to the Starcross ferry, with their families and friends, to raise funds for the charity as thanks for its ongoing support.
A spokeswoman for Balloons said: “The families of two children who have been supported by Balloons came together to take on a walk to raise funds for Balloons in its 20th year.
“Martha and James and a bunch of their friends and parents, walked 20km from Exmouth to the Starcross ferry. Both children wanted to do something special to thank Balloons and to help make sure this wonderful service continues — for other children and families who need support during the most difficult of times.
“Martha was supported by Balloons for a number of years following the sudden loss of her grandparents, which left her struggling with her grief. Balloons supported Martha through sessions at school and continued to support her for many years afterwards by inviting her to activities, helping her feel understood, supported, and less alone.
“James was supported by Balloons when he was told that his brother’s condition was life- limiting. He struggled to understand what this meant and how he felt about it. Through school, Balloons were contacted and we offered sessions in school to help him explore his understanding and emotions. This support gave James a safe place to talk and communicate his feelings. He has also been offered continued support when end-of-life care begins.”
Balloons has helped thousands of bereaved children, young people and their families since it started. Photo: with permission.
Marking the charity’s 20th anniversary were the Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Exeter Deputy Lord Mayor, former Balloons’ staff, volunteers, trustees, funders, personal and corporate supporters and local school staff.
Over the past two decades Balloons has helped 1,725 children with one-to-one grief support sessions, trained 1,183 professionals in supporting bereaved children and more than 228 volunteer grief support workers.
In addition, the charity has sent 2,127 care packages to support bereaved children and their families, and organised 62 activity days for bereaved families.
Find out more about Balloons, and how to donate, here.
