Lancaster hospice launches special fundraising appeal to mark second birthday of vital Forget Me Not centre

The centre provides ‘wrap around’ bereavement care to local children, adults and families.

This care can include creative activities, therapeutic resources and sessions to express their grief and restore hope.

In 2023 alone, the centre provided 253 bereavement support sessions for adults, 135 therapy sessions for children and young people, and dozens of group support sessions in the centre and in local schools.

The Forget Me Not Centre second birthday appeal aims to help more local people receive the bereavement support they need.

Families like Melanie Thompson and her daughters, who have been supported by the Forget Me Not Centre team, before and after the death of their loving husband and father, Darren.

Melanie said: “We went as a family and felt at ease straight away with the lovely team. We met families going through the same as us or the loss of a loved one; making memories books and doing activities based around grief and how it makes you feel.

“We couldn’t thank the hospice enough for our amazing three weeks with Darren before his passing and the amazing work the Forget Me Not Centre offers to us even after his death.

“We would be truly lost without this amazing place, and we will continue to go when we need to…it’s made the loss more bearable.”

Darren sadly died on Father’s Day in 2023.

Emma Burns, head of bereavement services of the Forget Me Not Centre, said: “The centre is a safe space for individuals and families to help cope with the death of someone they love.

“This appeal suggests a one-off donation to the Forget Me Not centre on its second birthday.

"Such donations can make a positive and practical difference for a family like the Thompson’s or to someone who is grieving alone.

"Thank you to everyone donating to this appeal for thinking of St John’s.”

To make a one-off donation please visit https://www.sjhospice.org.uk/fmncbirthday or call the St John’s Supporter Care team (Monday- Friday, 9am- 5pm) on 01524 382538.