Bereavement charity Charlies-Angel-Centre Foundation is soldiering on during its most challenging year yet

In the last 13 months Charlies-Angel-Centre Foundation has had to cope with a break-in at its bereavement centre in Beeston and with the coronavirus pandemic.

Last December £6,000 of equipment and toys were taken during a burglary at its base on Parkside Lane. £3,000 worth of damage was also caused.

The family run charity is named after Charlie Arthur Curtis who died in December 2012 shortly after being born. His mum Carrie-Ann and her step mother Ruth Curtis are among the co-founders of the charity which helps anyone affected by the death of a child of any age.

Ruth Curtis said: “It was awful when we were burgled. Who would do that? It’s quite obvious that it’s a bereavement charity, it’s in big letters everywhere.”

But as news of the crime spread, so did acts of kindness from the community. One firm donated £20,000 worth of metal roller blinds, which were fitted to the front of the building to make it more secure. While others installed CCTV and an alarm for free. The Freemasons also gave them a grant to replace items, and families from across Yorkshire made donations.

But just as the charity was getting back on its feet, Covid-19 hit in March and the centre had to shut until July. The charity, which depends on income from fundraising, lost an estimated £25,000 in revenue during the four-month lockdown following the cancellation of events.

Ruth said it was heartbreaking to see the normally welcoming and relaxing centre stand empty. But they were determined to keep helping the 100 plus families it supports each month.

Ruth added: “Luckily we managed to get a few of our student counsellors and qualified councillors extra training so they could do telephone and zoom counselling, which was really fantastic because some of the families we were concerned about were still able to access help.”

The centre hasn’t had to shut during the second lockdown as it is supporting vulnerable adults. But it is operating under strict covid-secure protocols and with limited numbers in the building. Families can still access services like face-to-face counselling or do it remotely via phone or Zoom.

But its annual memorial service for families of bereaved children, which is normally staged at The Church of St Cross in Middleton, will now be held virtually on Thursday December 17, at 7pm.

This year Rev Andy Myers, who conducted Charlie’s funeral, will read out an online roll of honour of children who are to be remembered. But there still will be a Christmas tree inside the church bearing messages from grieving families. Candles will also be lit.

Ruth said they had been very upset about not being able to gather physically with families at the church this year. She added: “We’ve become a big family who just keep extending. It’s great every year to find out how everyone is doing. It’s a really special night. It’s one we really didn’t want to cancel but we didn’t have an option. It’s so important (we continue it virtually)”.

Messages and children’s names to be remembered need to submitted before 8pm on December 1. People can send them via www.charlies-angel-centre.org.uk, [email protected] or via Facebook Messenger.

BACKGROUND:

Charlies-Angel-Centre Foundation was set up in 2013 following the death of little Charlie Curtis.

When Charlie died in December 2012, his family felt there was ​little or no support post hospital for bereaved families. The charity, which was co-founded by his mother Carrie-Ann Curtis and other members of her family, set about trying to plug that gap.

The charity is based in South Leeds but helps people from as far away as Wales and Birmingham. In July 2019 the charity opened its first bereavement centre, which has four counselling rooms. It also runs a number of support groups, offers key information and works closely with health care professionals to provide the best bereavement care.

Although the charity received an emergency grant from Leeds City Council to help with its rent during lockdown, it is almost entirely dependent on fundraising to run its services. Co founder Ruth Curtis said the main goal was to be able to buy its own premises and to provide cool rooms facilities so families can spend time with their baby at the centre prior to the funeral.

Ruth said: “We know that it will happen because we are all determined, and Charlie is the best motivation you can get really because we are never going to want to let him down. We will always do it.”

To support it, please go to: www.justgiving.com/charlies-angel-centre.