A Kingswood man has given his backing to a new venture by the young people’s bereavement charity’s Winston’s Wish.
The charity has launched a Memory Meadow, a virtual space where people who are mourning a parent or other relative can place a tribute.
Edd Wright, now 40 and a father himself, lost his father when he was in his twenties.
He said: “I’m dedicating a flower to my dad. He was my hero when I was growing up. A true gentleman and one of the nicest people I will ever know. He served all over the world in the armed forces, so we used to love listening to all the stories he’d tell us. I lost my father when I was 25, and it was a sad time for my siblings and me.
“Thankfully, we were old enough to be able to understand and come to terms with it. I couldn’t even begin to imagine what it must be like for a child or young person to have to deal with one of the saddest things they will ever have to face. It’s reassuring to know that Winston’s Wish are on hand to be able to help them navigate through the grief.
Winston’s Wish is the UK’s first children and young people’s bereavement charity and support grieving young people, up to the age of 25, when somebody special to them dies. Last year alone, the charity supported and directly impacted the lives of more than 82,000 grieving young people.
The Memory Meadow is designed to be a dedicated online space to leave an evergreen tribute to your loved one while raising awareness and funds for the charity’s services.
Edd, who has raised fund fof the charity by running, said: “It’s really lovely to have another place to be able to go and remember my dad. He was laid to rest far away from where we live, so getting down to visit his grave can be difficult at times. With the Memory Meadow, my siblings and I can go online at any time and see his flower and picture. He was also a keen gardener, so it’s such a fitting tribute.
“I used to love going to work with my dad during the school holidays and weekends. He was a helicopter pilot and quite often my siblings and I would go to work with him, and we’d get to sit in the back while he was flying. I was super fortunate to be able to do this and it really was some of the best times of my childhood.
To leave a tribute or and help support grieving children visit the Memory Meadow page on the Winston’s Wish website.