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Child loss charity’s annual ball in memory of Lewis

Posted onPosted on 16th Jan

A charity set up by a Mansfield Woodhouse family to support those suffering from losing a child is to stage its third annual ball.

Missing Piece, The Child Loss Charity, was launched by Cheryl and Gary Broughton after 16-year-old Lewis Crouch was killed on his moped in an accident on Peafield Lane in the village three years ago.

His mum, Cheryl, said the ball at Mansfield Town Football Club on Saturday, 9th May, would be bigger and better than ever.

All proceeds will go towards funding weekly support sessions, grief counselling, the creation and distribution of memory boxes, and much more.

The black-tie event includes a Champagne reception, three-course meal, live music and a fundraising auction, including sport and collectable memorabilia.

Last year’s event raised more than £9,000 and people are being urged to support the event. Tickets, individual and for tables, can be bought at www.missingpiecechildloss.com/events

The family have campaigned for speed cameras and road improvements on Peafield Lane as well as establishing the charity to help other families to cope with the sudden loss of a child.

Cheryl Broughton

They said: “Months after Lewis’s death, family members were still on the waiting list for counselling.

“We were left to face the coroner’s inquest, anniversaries and so much more, without the support and guidance that we desperately needed.

“Mental illness now plays a big part of our family as we struggle to come to terms with the true damage that the loss of Lewis has caused.

“When Lewis died, it felt like all the pieces of a jigsaw had been thrown up into the air. It felt like no pictures could ever be made again.

“Over time, gradually, a few of the pieces have started to join together. And now, to the outside world, our jigsaw might look OK. It might look complete.

“But really, there’s a piece missing. A massive piece. There will always be that piece missing now that Lewis is gone.

“So, as a family, we set up the charity to try to help those who tragically find themselves in a similar position to us.

“We want to fundraise for creating memory boxes, for a ‘piggy bank’ of funds for instant counselling courses, for a 24/7 phone and text helpline, and eventually for education programmes about grief and emotions to be taken to schools.”

Missing Piece runs a 24/7 grief support line, weekly drop-in sessions for children and adults, and offers instant funds for treatment to those in need of counselling.

Memory boxes created by the charity have also been donated to several local hospitals and trauma centres, to be given to families and friends after hearing the terrible news that their loved one has died.

For more information on the charity and its services, go to www.missingpiecechildloss.com