You Raise Me Up marks 10 years of supporting bereaved families

When 17-year-old Megan Brooks died suddenly in May 2011 while working at Eastbourne Rugby Club, her devastated family found there was no one they could turn to; nobody out there who could understand their pain and grief and no comfort from anyone who had experienced the same heart wrenching loss.

In the days and weeks that followed Megan’s death – including what should have been the popular teenager’s 18th birthday – Megan’s grieving parents Jane and Fraser and younger brother Oliver created You Raise Me Up, a charity to support families in the very same situation they found themselves in.

The charity was named after a Westlife song – Megan’s favourite band – and its ethos was to provide practical, emotional and financial support to families who lost their children aged between 16 and 25.

Fast forward 10 years and You Raise Me Up has helped more than 200 families and 2,000 individuals both in Eastbourne and across the county.

It has a dedicated support centre and coffee shop in Polegate’s High Street, a 24-hour mental health crisis helpline, one-to-one specialist counselling, peer support groups for men, women and siblings and respite activities for families such as days out and dinners.

Sadly, founder Jane Brooks lost her battle with breast cancer three years ago and while the charity is still very much supported by the Brooks family, it is now run by a team of professionals, counsellors, volunteers, supporters and overseen by a board of trustees who all uphold the original aims.

And as it prepares to celebrate its milestone anniversary, the charity is hoping to raise £100,000 in 2021 so it can continue its vital work with several fundraisers planned including a skydive, a trek to Borneo, a golf day and places available in the Brighton Marathon and London to Brighton Bike Ride.

The charity is headed up by Leesa Pattison.

“Any loss of a loved one is hard,” said Leesa, “but the loss of a child is so traumatic and unless someone has suffered that loss they can’t begin to understand what parents and families are feeling or going through. 

“The impact on their mental health and the daily struggle to function in a world that has been turned upside down is unimaginable.

“That is what we do at You Raise Me Up – provide vital multiple purpose support and counselling for families, holding families together at a time that can be so lonely and isolating.

“We have trained and experienced counsellors to help families through dark times and also supporting their ongoing lives. 

The charity also helps with the financial cost of funerals. We run monthly support groups where families can connect with others who are going through a similar experience.

“Our charity’s whole-family approach supports surviving family members and friends to work through the unimaginable grief and pain of losing a child, and reaches out to the whole family – and increasingly friends – not just the parents but grandparents, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles and their peers.”

Like all charities, You Raise Me Up relies on financial donations and with the Covid pandemic its coffers have been hit by a lack of events to raise money. 

It costs £3,500 to support a bereaved family for one year, and all funding comes through charitable donations and fundraising events.

This is why You Raise Me Up is calling for support as it marks 10 years of supporting bereaved families, with a fundraising target of £100,000 in 2021.

The charity has a number of fundraising events this year (see right) where you can take on a challenge in aid of the charity, or you could come up with your own unique event to raise funds for this vital service.

If you are looking for support, please call the You Raise Me Up 24-hour helpline on 01323 482772.

Follow the charity on social media - search for You Raise Me Up on Facebook, @youraisemeupuk on Twitter and @youraisemeupcharity on Instagram.

Or to find out more about the charity, visit: www.youraisemeup.co.uk

Set yourself a challenge for 2021

The team at You Raise Me Up have supported thousands of people after the loss of a loved one – but they can’t do that without the efforts of brilliant fundraisers.

Do you want to challenge yourself this year or have something you want to tick off your wish list? Why not sign up for a half marathon challenge or and exhilarating sky dive all for a good cause?

Here’s a few ways you can get involved and support You Raise Me Up... 

Brighton Half Marathon 

Looking for a fitness challenge in 2021? What better way to start the year than signing up to a half marathon? With just over four months to go, get started on your training and sign up to start raising funds for You Raise Me Up.

The 13.1-mile course takes you past many of Brighton and Hove’s landmarks including the Royal Pavilion, Brighton Pier, the i360 and the colourful Hove Beach Huts – and the good news is, the course is mostly flat.

The event takes place on June 27 – just register with You Raise Me Up for £25 and you’ll receive a running vest and supporters pack. Runners are asked to raise a minimum of £300.

Sky dive 

This is a challenge for thrillseekers or those who want to get out of their comfort zone. Take on a tandem sky dive from 2.8 miles, reaching speeds of 125mph! Described as ‘the thrill of a lifetime’, face your fears and take on a sky dive for You Raise Me Up on July 3. There’s a £50 deposit and a minimum £500 fundraising target – what are you waiting for? Register at www.goskydive.com/you-raise-me-up/

Cycle ride

Calling all cyclists – take on a scenic 54-mile ride through the Surrey and Sussex countryside. Sign up to the London to Brighton Cycle Ride on September 19; registration is £25, just raise a minimum of £300 for You Raise Me Up.

Charity golf day 

You Raise Me Up started with a fundraising golf day back in 2011 and the tradition is still going strong with this year’s event taking place on May 14.

Golf lovers can get a team of four together for the annual golf day at Willingdon Golf Club, and the day includes breakfast, 18-hole golf, a two-course meal and on course competitions. It costs £50 per player.

There will also be an after party from 7.30pm, with live entertainment from the tribute band Fat Freddie and the Queens. Tickets are £20 per person.

Midsummer Ball   

Get dressed up and put on your dancing shoes for the glamorous Midsummer Ball at Brighton Hilton Metropole on June 19 – and you’ll be to raising funds for You Raise Me Up! It’ll be a Las Vegas inspired evening, with a champagne reception, sit down dinner, and Vegas entertainment – what’s not to like! Tickets are £100 per person or  £995 per table of 10.

Borneo in October 2021

This will be a trip to remember. The You Raise Me Up’s 10th Anniversary Trek to Borneo will see 15 fundraisers take on a five-day trek through the tough terrain of the jungle, staying in remote villages and learning survival skills.

Donate

Get creative and put on your own Covid-safe event to raise funds for You Raise Me Up, or you can make a donation online, at: www.youraisemeup.co.uk/donate

To find out more about the events running this year, visit: www.youraisemeup.co.uk/2021-events