SACRED Heart Primary School in Ilkley held a 'Red Day' on Friday to raise money to fund a new generation of bereavement bears after pupil Bea Carr lost her beloved dad Nick over three years ago.
Nick died suddenly and totally unexpectedly following a heart attack at the age of 55, after going to hospital with chest pain.
He left behind his wife Sarah Bennett Carr and two daughters Maisie and Bea, who were aged just 12 and six years at the time.
Sarah remembers leaving hospital after Nick’s death with nothing but her two children, a bag of Nick’s possessions and a bereavement leaflet.
So along with Chloe Fisher, a friend of the family and a family care and bereavement sister for paediatric intensive care at Leeds Children’s Hospital, Sarah discussed the need for something to help children cope with bereavement – resulting in the bereavement bears being ‘born’ – and the realisation of the need for better training for teachers helping children with bereavement in schools.
The bears are placed into the arms of children who lose a parent or sibling. They offer comfort, something to squeeze and cuddle and provide comfort at a distressing time.
In 2022 – just 12 months after Nick’s passing – the school’s initial fundraising efforts were used to source and purchase 70 bereavement bears which have since been given to children and young people in adult Emergency Departments at St James’ and LGI as well as PICU at Leeds Children’s Hospital. The scheme was a huge success and all of the initial 70 bears were gifted.
In 2023 the school raised a further £3,000 which not only provided funds to buy 270 more bears but also enough money to provide bereavement training for local teachers led by Child Bereavement UK. This training - which took place on June 19 - will ensure all staff in local primary schools have the necessary skills and resources to support children in the most challenging of times.
Feedback has been phenomenal with teachers saying how strategies learned have already been used to support children who have lost a parent or close family member.
For this year's Red Day children came to school wearing red, and with donations to buy a cake. Once again the school will be funding bereavement bears and also hope to provide resource boxes for local primary schools to support staff when working with children who have suffered a bereavement.
Assistant head teacher Mrs Claire Gilhooly said: "As a school community we are determined to continue to support Nick's girls and ensure Nick's legacy grows as year on year.
"We raised over £300 in school from selling cakes and wearing red (Nick’s favourite colour). Bea had a great time dancing with her friends and baking cakes to sell - a wonderful way to remember her devoted daddy!
"We are still hoping to make over £1000 in total to support us in continuing to provide bereavement bears and fund bereavement training for secondary school colleagues in the local area."
If you would like to donate visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/red-day-for-nick-carr-2024
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