Bereavement network appeals for support (From St Albans & Harpenden Review)

Bereavement network appeals for support

6:10pm Friday 17th October 2008 in News By Alex Lewis

The St Albans Bereavement Network which helps people deal with the trauma of personal loss appealed today for backing from local solicitors.

The charity, which has a local branch at the United Reform Church in Beaconsfield Road, held a lunch for local law firms at Thai Rack in George Street.

Bishop of Hertford Christopher Foster gave his support to the Bereavement Network, appealing to lawyers to suggest leaving a legacy to their clients when drawing up their wills.

One St Albans solicitor, Gorge Selvarajan of Debenhams Ottaway, said: "When I was growing up in Sri Lanka, I learned the English proverb - charity begins at home."

He told his fellow lawyers that charities like the Bereavement Network wasted less on administration, and the benefit would be readily visible to themselves and their clients' families.

He said "It is a good way of giving something back to the community which has given us so much."

Local people who have been helped by the Bereavement Network told the meeting of their experiences.

Barrister Dyann Herwood-Miles spoke about how a close cousin had died, leaving her to look after her three small children while she was still enmeshed in her legal training and bringing up her own children.

She said: "The Bereavment Network was such a source of strength and support.

"I was given an advisor who always had enough time for me at any hour of the day or night."

Sally Patterson explained how the charity had helped her when both parents died within a short time, helping her deal with guilt as well as shock and grief.

She said: "I can't speak highly enough of them - I urge you all to do what you can to help."