A NEW service supporting bereaved children is in danger of closing if they are not able to secure funding.

Ashley Lloyd, Kay Cartmell and Cathryn Mason are the three directors of Time To Share Bereavement Services, who formed the not-for-profit community interest company to plug a gap in bereavement service provision after the new service providers Family Action ceased to offer the service previously delivered by Howgill Family Centre.

Ashley said they have approached some local businesses and organisations and remain hopeful that they can find funding, but if there is not enough funding by the end of the year they will have to close the bereavement service.

Ashley added: "We are giving it until the end of this year and if there is not enough funding by January we won't be able to continue."

She added: "Our main issue is funding, we have put in for funding in several places, but there seems to be question by them over the need."

70 per cent of the primary and secondary schools in Copeland have told the trio that they need their services.

Ashley added: "We know we have support from health professionals and Cumbria Bereavement Partnership has said we are a good fit with their organisation too."

During lockdown they have been doing telephone work with families and engaging with children by using face time, creating memory boxes and sending covid safe bags to families.

She added the Charlie and Kathleen Dunnery Children's Fund had given them a cheque recently for £1,500 and Dobies charitable trust had also helped. Whitehaven Rugby Union Club has offered them the use of their building for free once it is safe to do so.