AS the demand for Noah's Ark Trust's services has grown over the past 10 years, so has the need for funding.

This is where the job of the Worcester charity's community fund-raiser Mary Irish comes in - to make sure there are enough events for people to take part in to continue raising money.

Mrs Irish, who has worked for the trust for five years, knows first-hand the heartache of trying to carry on with family life after the sudden death of a loved one - 30 years ago her eldest daughter died at the age of 10.

She said: "Thirty years ago, there was no support for families in their grief. Our other children found it too distressing to talk to us and we never realised the depth and extent of their grief. To have had access to the bereavement support that is available today would have made a significant difference to the children at a very traumatic time."

Noah's Ark Trust was set up 10 years ago, and now hundreds of children make use of its service, which is now also available in Herefordshire.

This year, along with the Worcester News, the trust is aiming to raise £1 million so it can buy its own base in order to support many others who find themselves suddenly needing help.

Mrs Irish says anyone can - and does - have a go at fund-raising, from asking for donations instead of birthday presents to holding coffee mornings or taking part in an organised Noah's Ark event.

She said: "I just want to say thank you to everyone who supports us in any way. This year has been an exciting time of growth for Noah's Ark Trust. We have had wonderful support to meet this growth and as a result our service now reaches every corner of the two counties.

"People donate in very different ways but the one thing they all had in common were wonderful people who worked really hard to set them up and to raise as much as possible to make sure that bereavement support could continue free of charge in Herefordshire and Worcestershire."

Unfortunately, for personal reasons, Mrs Irish is leaving the trust at the end of January - but will still be flying the flag of a charity she is so passionate about.

She said: "Please take up the challenge of The Appeal and make sure that support is available for bereaved children and young people at the most traumatic time in their young lives," she said.

If you think you would like to take up the challenge of the community fund-raising job, ring 01905 745735 or e-mail info@noahsarktrust.co.uk