THE founder of Worcester-based bereavement charity Noah's Ark has thrown her support behind the £1 million Towards a Brighter Future Campaign.

Rachel Weekes set up the charity in 1998 after reading an article in a newspaper about a Gloucester-based charity called Winston's Wish which helped children and young people overcome their grief. Straight-away she knew that Worcester-shire needed one too.

Mrs Weekes, the then Countess of Coventry who was married to the late 11th Earl, wanted to make a difference to children's lives.

She said: "I love children and this is just something I thought I could do. The article moved me profoundly.

"I was very touched by the work they were doing, and the difference it was making to these children's lives. It was especially the weekend camps in a residential setting which particularly interested me.

"These weekends brought together children and young people who could share their experiences post-bereavement, while in another location their parents could also meet other people who were suffering the in same way."

After meeting the director of Winston's Wish and realising that Worcestershire didn't have a service, Mrs Weekes decided to set up a separate, independent charity. She came up with the name for the trust after receiving a Christmas card with an illustration of Noah's Ark. All of the pre-charity registrations were made from the top floor of Earls Croome Court, near Upton-upon-Severn, where Mrs Weekes then lived, and with the help of her friend Jenny Cheale, the wife of a local businessman, the trust began. It was registered as a charity in May 1998.

With interest growing from the professional sector, including from GPs, health visitors, social workers, hospice workers, teachers and people working in education, it soon became an invaluable resource to help bereaved children in both Worcestershire and Herefordshire.

Mrs Weekes, who now lives in France, said: "Ten years on, it is a well-respected and professionally run charity which has proven results in achieving its original aims. To be honest, looking at it now it is quite amazing to see that we started it and look at how much it has grown. We couldn't believe there wasn't something like this before, but everything we have done has come from the heart and it is great to see it now.

"I have been away for a few months and have come back and seen the huge development it is making."

Mrs Weekes, now a patron of the trust, believes the step towards raising £1million to buy a base is a natural progression.

She said: "To have its own premises will make a huge difference and it is something we have always aimed for.

"If the children can come to us in a quiet environment without any other distractions and talk to someone in a safe place then that is perfect.

"They will be able to express themselves a lot better which will enable the staff to help them."

  • How to donate:
    Visit www.noahsarktrust.co.uk and click on the 'Support Us' button. You can go directly to the Noah's Ark site from the special section of this site here. Or call the office on 01905 745735 or post a cheque, made payable to Noah's Ark Trust, to Noah's Ark Trust, 1-4 Canalside, Lowesmoor Wharf, Worcester, WR1 2RS.
  • Tell us about your fund-raising event:
    Fun fund-raising events are a great way of helping the Towards A Brighter Future appeal.
    If you're planning an event, let us know and we'll publicise it in print and online.
    Just contact reporter Claire Fry on 01905 742263 or email cf@worcesternews.co.uk