Thomas’s sister, Leia, also approached her family and said that she also felt that there was no support for siblings when a child dies. While her parents left the hospital with a memory box containing Thomas’s hair, hand prints and footprints, Leia left without even a leaflet to advise her where she could get support if she needed it. From there, ‘Leia’s Gift in Memory of Our Thomas’ was created. Leia put together a box of items to give to bereaved children to help them through the early days of grief and beyond. The aim is to have these boxes available in every hospital and hospice in the UK so that they can be given out when they are needed the most. 

 

We are delighted that Red Sky Foundation have joined us to ensure that bereaved children and parents can be supported following the death of a child. There are currently no benefits in place to support bereaved families by the UK government or charities within the North East offering this support.”