A Seaham charity has set up a special Christmas tree, to help families who have lost loved ones.
Megan’s Rainbow Support Group is a charity that was launched in early 2017 by the loved ones of former St. Anthony’s Girls’ Catholic Academy Student, Megan Bell, who died at the Scottish festival, T in the Park in July 2016, aged just 17.
The family set up the charity after they found it difficult to access counselling close to their home in Seaham after Megan’s tragic death.
Megan’s Mother, Lisa said: “I think it’s very important to keep our Megan’s memory alive and I think we all [the family] get some kind of comfort from doing things to promote her charity.”
The Tree, which was donated by The Shaw Trust in Parkside, has been set up in Byron Place Shopping centre in Seaham. Megan’s father, Chris Bell said: “We [the family] really hope people who have unfortunately lost loved ones, can use the tree to remember them at this time of year which is particularly hard.”
It is there to give people a way of expressing love and loss. Labels have been left next to the tree for people to write messages and to attach them to the tree. The Mayor of Seaham, Councillor Sonia Foster said: “Those of us who have lost a child or someone close to them, have found that finding someone who understands, does not judge and simply listens, is hard to find.
“Some of us have got together to help address this.
“Seaham does need a special place for those people. A tree has been set up so as anyone who cares, can write a tag in memory of a loved one
“We all need to acknowledge them especially at Christmas.”
In the New Year, the charity plans to launch chat sessions and also hope to help grieving families to cover funeral costs.
The Tree will be there until the end of December.
Check out Megan’s Rainbow Support Group Facebook Page here.