A charity that supports children through the grief and loneliness of losing a parent has been given a funding boost.

Hertfordshire County Councillor for Borehamwood North Leon Reefe has allocated £750 from his locality budget to Grief Encounter.

The charity, based in Avenue House, Finchley Central, offers counselling and support to young people in Borehamwood in the days, weeks and months following a bereavement.

Shelley Gilbert, who founded Grief Encounter after losing both parents before the age of nine, said:

“We listen to children and bereaved families who say they want to meet other people who have been in the same situation and relieve their loneliness and isolation.

“Our role is letting families know that life goes on. We don’t want the families to think of themselves as victims. It’s not all doom and gloom, there’s a positive future and we’ll build it together.”

The funding will help with transport costs for families to receive counselling and to attend workshops and away days, and also it will help train teachers.

Cllr Reefe said: “Bereavement counselling is a facility that should be available to those in need.

"I have just recently been made aware of the lack of funding for this much needed service and am really glad to be able to help in this way.”