Surge in calls from bereaved parents to charity

A charity that supports bereaved parents following the sudden death of a child is launching an appeal to hire a coordinator for the Munster region following a surge in demand for its services.

FirstLight said it needs to raise €25,000 to hire a regional bereavement co-ordinator to ensure parents and families who lose a child or young person suddenly and unexpectedly, receive the appropriate professional supports in their darkest hour.

“Every year in Cork, more than 300 parents and families are affected by the devastation of losing a child or young person suddenly. We have seen a 63% increase in the number of calls for support to FirstLight in the last year,” charity spokesperson Louise O’Sullivan said.