The people of Milton Keynes are once again being asked to add a splash of colour to November to help Harry’s Rainbow mark Children’s Grief Awareness Week.
With the support of sponsorship from law firm Irwin Mitchell, the children’s bereavement charity will be holding events throughout the week, which runs from November 17 to 23.
And businesses, organisations, schools, clubs and individuals are being invited to create the most colourful scenes they can and share photographs on social media to once again make a rainbow over Milton Keynes.
Alison Johnson, Fundraising and Events Manager at Harry’s Rainbow, said: “We had a fantastic response last year to our social media campaign to create a rainbow over the city and we hope people will join in again this year.
“We’ve got schools taking part, raising money through colourful dress-down days, and local football teams staging matches during the week, and there’s bake sales and sponsored events. Anything that’s colourful, and raises either funds or awareness for bereaved children, would be amazing.
“We are asking people to use the hashtags #harrysrainbow, #griefmatters, #childrensgriefawarenessweek, #cgaw25 and #bereavedchildren when they post their rainbow pictures.”
Harry’s Rainbow is a Milton Keynes-based charity that offers support groups, trips, events, holidays and mental health support to children who’ve lost a parent or sibling. It costs almost £650 a year for Harry’s Rainbow to support just one child and the charity has helped more than 1,000 children since it began.
This year’s Children’s Grief Awareness Week will see a special Remembrance Event at Crooks Barn on Wednesday, November 19 from 6.30pm. Tickets are £10 per person and the event is described as a comforting hour of music, memory and tea. There will be a celebrant and some readings, and gift bags for those who attend.
In addition, Harry’s Rainbow will have a stand in John Lewis in Centre:mk on Monday, November 17 for anyone who wants to find out more about the charity. There will also be an online book of remembrance.
Alison added: “The important thing about Children’s Grief Awareness Week is to raise awareness about how many children are suffering the loss of a loved one and the help they need with coping with that.
“We are incredibly grateful to Irwin Mitchell for their support, it has allowed us to do more events, and hopefully people will find some colourful and fun ways to fundraise so that we can help even more children.”
Harry’s Rainbow has a fundraising pack for those looking for inspiration, and that is available via the charity’s website.
For more information, visit their website.
