Marking the start of RoadPeace’s National Road Victim Month, Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion has donated £4,000 to the 2wish charity.
The charity, which works closely with RoadPeace, supports anyone who is impacted by a road death of a young person whether they are loved ones or West Mercia Police officers who attend the incident.
Backing the work of the charity, the PCC’s donation will support anyone in West Mercia affected by sudden and unexpected death of a child or young person under the age of 25.
This support can include memory boxes, local bereavement rooms, home visits for the bereaved, counselling, complementary therapies, play therapy, coffee mornings and support events.
PCC John Campion said: “Any loss of life is a true tragedy, including in road collisions. But when the loss of a young person – albeit a child, a friend, a sibling – is sudden and expected, that pain is unimaginable and impossible to process.
“I am full of gratitude to 2wish for what they are able to provide not just to loved ones, but to first responders, therapists and other professionals whose lives are changed by the bereavement they face in the line of duty.
“I want to make sure anyone affected by loss under these circumstances receives the support and guidance they need in their darkest hour. I am proud to be able to play my part in making this happen.”
Chief Inspector Julian Smith, who has begun implementing 2wish’s resources and support within West Mercia Police, said: “I became aware of 2wish through a conversation with Kate [Gynn] in RoadPeace a charity that West Mercia already has a great relationship with who assist those effected by road death incidents.
“The opportunity to work alongside 2wish is something that was an absolute gift.
“As police officers, we will unfortunately deal with people on a regular basis that are impacted by this and to have a contact that we can refer them too immediately will be a great benefit to them at a really traumatic time. When we as officers need support, we can be referred to 2wish.”
Rhian Mannings MBE, founder of 2wish said: “We are so grateful for the donation from Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion which will help support those families who find themselves in the awful position of losing a child.
“As a charity, we also provide crucial support to professionals within the emergency services who might also be affected. Donations like this allow us to provide even more essential support for those.”
