High and mighty

Postwoman, Charlotte Holland has expressed her gratitude to the Children’s Bereavement Centre in Newark, for everything they have done to help her family get through a tragic event.

The charity has provided constant support since Charlotte took responsibility for her sister Sarah’s two children, Sheena and Krishan, following her sudden death in 2017. Aged 13 and five respectively, both children have lived with Charlotte since their mother’s untimely death.

Charlotte, who has two children of her own, discovered Sarah’s body after she failed to respond to text messages. ‘It was totally out of the blue,’ she said. ‘Nothing prepares you for something like that.’

Charlotte’s managers at Newark Delivery Office have given her the flexibility to accommodate her new responsibilities, while The Bereavement Centre has provided counselling and legal advice to help her through the process of becoming the children’s guardian.

The Children’s Bereavement Centre have been absolutely incredible,’ said Charlotte. ‘The strength they give you is out of this world. They made me feel like I could do it, and I genuinely think that is why I did what I did. I don’t think I’ve done anything amazing – it’s just what any family member would do.’

Last year, Charlotte raised more than £1,100 when she did a 12,000ft skydive for the charity, which offers one-to-one bereavement support, play therapy and counselling for children, young people and their families affected by death or terminal illness.

Earlier this year, Charlotte raised more than £500 when she abseiled 418ft down Europe’s tallest permanent abseiling tower. And next year, she’s planning to up the stakes by taking to the skies for a ‘Wing walk’ to raise even more money for the charity.

‘The service the Children’s Bereavement Centre provide is fantastic and it’s all free to families that need their support!’ she said. ‘It’s not just about face-to-face sessions...it’s the emails, phone calls, Zoom calls, letters; the list goes on and on.

‘I want to try and repay them by raising as much money as possible every year. I won’t ever be able to repay them fully, but I can promise you, every single penny raised will be put to amazing use.’

Click here if you would like to help fundraise for Charlotte’s Wing walk on behalf of the Children’s Bereavement Centre.