The Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA) has announced its continued support for UK charity Grief Encounter, as its nominated charity for 2022.
Around 45,000 children experience the death of a parent or sibling in the UK every year, with an additional 10,000 children having experienced bereavement as a direct result of Covid-19 in 2021.
Bereavement is devastating at any age, but for a child it is life-changing. Grief Encounter offers a lifeline, providing free, immediate, one-to-one support that help children and young people with the confusion, fear and loneliness they often feel following the death of someone close.
“At the CHSA we have a long track record of giving something back,” said Lorcan Mekitarian, Chair of the CHSA. “Thanks to the generosity of our members we have been able to make substantial donations to charities including the RNIB. We are delighted to continue this tradition with Grief Encounter and are looking forward to supporting the charity throughout 2022.”
The CHSA raises funds for its nominated charity at its Gala Ball and Annual Golf Day. It began raising funds for Grief Encounter in 2019, donating £5,000 during the pandemic, despite not being able to host any major events. Thanks to the generosity of its members, the CHSA has raised a total of £20,000, funds Grief Encounter is putting to good use.
Contributions of all sizes are essential to Grief Encounter’s work:
- £50 pays for a one-to-one counselling session
- £100 provides a grief kit for a bereaved family
- £500 pays for a bereaved family to attend a residential weekend
- £1,000 pays for a dedicated trauma specialist to conduct an initial response for one week with a school following the death of a student
- £3,000 pays for a family fun day for up to 80 bereaved children and their families
The first fund-raising event the CHSA will host in 2022 is its Gala Ball, taking place on Friday 20 May at the Staverton Park Estate, Daventry.