Generous Support Helps Create Some Special Memories

Milton Keynes children’s bereavement charity, Harry’s Rainbow, with support from Centre:MK helped make Christmas a little bit more special with visits to Father Christmas in his grotto and to the pantomime and the arrival of special festive hampers.

Harry’s Rainbow provides support for children and young people who have lost a parent or sibling. A great deal of the charity’s work is focused on providing information and guidance through its website and social media sites, but it also organises support groups, activities and trips wherever possible.

As Centre:MK’s chosen charity, Harry’s Rainbow was gifted some grotto visits, and the proceeds from the Wishing Well will be passed on to the charity once the coins are dried and counted, but the hampers and pantomime tickets are funded through donations and from the charity’s coffers.

Odette Mould MBE, who founded the charity in 2009 following the death of her five-year-old son, Harry, said:

“Christmas is always a time when we think about those who aren’t with us anymore, and for children who’ve lost a parent or sibling, it an incredibly difficult time. Sometimes, they aren’t sure they should be going off and enjoying themselves, so to give them the chance to do that in a group of others who are in the same position, as part of the charity’s work, can help.

“And, for their parents, who’ve also lost someone so close to them, it helps them if we’re organising activities, and paying for them. They may not feel they want to do parties and pantomimes, but if we take all the hassle out of making it happen, and they’re with other parents and children they have come to know through the charity, then it can make Christmas a bit more special.”

During December, Harry’s Rainbow took 200 children and their families to the pantomime in Milton Keynes, organised a party and arranged for families to see Father Christmas, bringing some festive fun to around 180 children in total. In addition, 28 hampers were packed and delivered, giving between 60 and 70 children some Christmas treats. Odette said:

“We are especially grateful to Centre:MK for choosing us as their charity,”

“That’s not just because of the money that has been raised through the Wishing Well and their bucket collections around the grotto, but also what it does for us in terms of raising awareness.

“There are so many children who have lost loved ones who need our support throughout the year, not just at Christmas, and hopefully the more people who know about Harry’s Rainbow, and see what we do with the money we receive, the more donations will come in to help us continue our work.”