Donated 'Luminarias' - lanterns bearing the names of lost mothers - helped to raise money for a charity that provides grief support to bereaved girls and young women.
CREDIT: Harriet Tolson
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A girls bereavement charity in London has held its first-ever commemorative light festival around Mothers’ Day in honour of mums who have passed away.
This week EmpowerHER hosted a special ‘luminaria’ in Bishops Park, Fulham to offer bereaved girls and young women a space to remember their mums at a particularly sensitive time.
Over 80 lanterns inscribed with the name of a lost love one were displayed at the memorial evening, raising £3,500 for the charity.
The money will enable its volunteers to continue providing year-round support for girls and young women in London who have experienced the loss of a mother.
Roisin O’Flaherty, who lost her mum Ann over two years ago and benefits from EmpowerHER’s support and community, says the memorial has provided her with a much-needed emotional outlet at a difficult time of year.
Roisin’s mum Ann (right) passed away two years ago, leaving behind her (centre) and her sister.
Speaking about her late mother, Roisin said: “She was a really wonderful person, an ICU nurse and one of the most generous and thoughtful lovely people I ever had the pleasure of knowing.”
“Mother’s Day can be really difficult but things like this – getting out there and being part of Luminaria and EmpowerHER – is a really great way to not only remember and honour her, but also to get out and do something to connect with people who have also lost a mum.”
A candle continues to shine in memory of Roisin’s late mother, Ann.
Data from the Child Bereavement Network estimates one in twenty young people will lose a parent by the time they reach 16 – leaving approximately 100,000 children living in London bereaved.
EmpowerHER says the Government does not provide adequate support for grief services.
Hannah McDougall, project co-ordinator at the charity, says that organisations like this one are stepping in to fill the void – particularly for over 18s who are most at risk of getting left behind.
Volunteer Hannah McDougall is passionate about enhancing the level of community support available to bereaved young women and girls.
Ms McDougall said: “We really feel there is a gap – especially in the mental health space for community based support.
“Girls, especially between 18 and 24, which is an area that we do cover, often fall through the gaps where they are still children but they are treated very much like adults and there are so few resources for them.”
The charity aims to put all proceeds towards their support services, including a mentor programme and in-person events that help girls find community within their grief.
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HeadlineLondoners light lanterns in memory of lost mums to raise awareness and funds for bereaved girls
Short Headline'Luminaria' supports bereaved girls and young women across London
StandfirstThe Mother's Day light display raised £3,500 to provide free grief support to motherless 18 to 24-year olds
A girls bereavement charity in London has held its first-ever commemorative light festival around Mothers’ Day in honour of mums who have passed away.
This week EmpowerHER hosted a special ‘luminaria’ in Bishops Park, Fulham to offer bereaved girls and young women a space to remember their mums at a particularly sensitive time.
Over 80 lanterns inscribed with the name of a lost love one were displayed at the memorial evening, raising £3,500 for the charity.
The money will enable its volunteers to continue providing year-round support for girls and young women in London who have experienced the loss of a mother.
Roisin O’Flaherty, who lost her mum Ann over two years ago and benefits from EmpowerHER’s support and community, says the memorial has provided her with a much-needed emotional outlet at a difficult time of year.
Roisin’s mum Ann (right) passed away two years ago, leaving behind her (centre) and her sister.
Speaking about her late mother, Roisin said: “She was a really wonderful person, an ICU nurse and one of the most generous and thoughtful lovely people I ever had the pleasure of knowing.”
“Mother’s Day can be really difficult but things like this – getting out there and being part of Luminaria and EmpowerHER – is a really great way to not only remember and honour her, but also to get out and do something to connect with people who have also lost a mum.”
A candle continues to shine in memory of Roisin’s late mother, Ann.
Data from the Child Bereavement Network estimates one in twenty young people will lose a parent by the time they reach 16 – leaving approximately 100,000 children living in London bereaved.
EmpowerHER says the Government does not provide adequate support for grief services.
Hannah McDougall, project co-ordinator at the charity, says that organisations like this one are stepping in to fill the void – particularly for over 18s who are most at risk of getting left behind.
Volunteer Hannah McDougall is passionate about enhancing the level of community support available to bereaved young women and girls.
Ms McDougall said: “We really feel there is a gap – especially in the mental health space for community based support.
“Girls, especially between 18 and 24, which is an area that we do cover, often fall through the gaps where they are still children but they are treated very much like adults and there are so few resources for them.”
The charity aims to put all proceeds towards their support services, including a mentor programme and in-person events that help girls find community within their grief.
