Cruse Scotland calls for support as 300,000 Scots face their first Christmas without a loved one
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Cruse Scotland, the nation’s dedicated bereavement charity, has launched an appeal to raise vital funds to support children, young people and adults struggling to cope with their grief over the festive period, and beyond.
The charity, which offers a range support of services will ensure their Bereavement Helpline is open every day throughout the festive period, however, are calling on donations from the public to keep their services free and accessible to everyone who needs them.
The Helpline was able to open over Christmas for the first time two years ago and the first Christmas Day caller was Fiona from Renfrewshire, whose husband, Jim, died three days earlier.
Commenting on her experience, Fiona said: "If they hadn’t answered my call on that difficult day, I know that I would not have gone on from strength to strength.
"I was in the depths of despair and reaching out to Cruse Scotland on Christmas Day quite literally saved my mental wellbeing.”
A donation of £10 to Cruse Scotland could cover the costs of a one-hour call to their Helpline from someone overwhelmed by grief, or a gift of £100 could pay for the training of a Helpline volunteer who will go on to support up to 200 clients in a year.
Further information can be found online at www.crusescotland.org.uk/Christmas
Cruse Scotland’s Free Bereavement Helpline will open daily through Christmas and New Year between 10am – 2pm from Friday December 23 until normal opening hours resume on Wednesday January 4.
If you need to talk, you can call the helpline on 0808 802 6161.
Cruse Scotland’s fundraising manager Scott Maxwell said: “Christmas can be a particularly painful time for someone struggling to come to terms with their loss and it can be really isolating when you feel everyone else is celebrating.
“This year more than 300,000 bereaved children, young people and adults face their first Christmas without a loved.
"We believe that ‘no one should struggle alone’ so if you can, please make a donation to Cruse Scotland and offer hope to others at a time they may feel their future seems empty.”
