Stephen Harrison, Immediate Past Chairman and Vice President of the Cleaning & Hygiene Suppliers Association (CHSA) has donated over £10,000 to the Chairman’s Charity, Grief Encounter. The money, raised by CHSA members and their guests at the Association’s Gala Ball and Golf Day, will be used to pay for a residential retreat for up to 30 bereaved children.

Grief Encounter supports bereaved children and their families to help alleviate the pain caused by the death of someone close.

Stephen Harrison said: “The loss of a parent, sibling, grandparent or close friend is traumatic and can be confusing for young people. Grief Encounter does wonderful work, giving them the support they need at what’s an incredibly difficult time. We are proud to have hit our goal of raising £10,000 for a retreat that gives children the space and support they need.

“A huge thank you to all our members and their guests at our Gala Ball and Golf Day who made it possible for us to hit the target.”

1 in 29 children in the UK under the age of 16 will suffer the death of a parent. Rebuilding a new life after the death of a loved one is hard for everyone, but especially for children and young people. Once the shock and trauma of a life changing event such as bereavement has been managed, finding a way to move forward must begin. Children have an overwhelming sense of confusion, fear and anxiety, alongside their grief, which must be cared for in order for them to continue into adulthood with a sense of confidence and long lasting happiness.

The new Chairman of the CHSA, Lorcan Mekitarian, is continuing the link with Grief Encounter, keeping it as the Chairman’s Charity for 2019/2020.

“Putting something back is at the heart of the ethos of the CHSA,” said Lorcan. “From our undergraduate bursary for the children of our members’ employees to the money we raise for the Chairman’s charity, making a contribution is important to us. We are delighted to have been able to fund the residential retreat and will now talk to Grief Encounter about our target for the next year.”