Charity to open new shop and support hub

Amber Sheehy was a big Norwich City FC fan before she died at the age of 8

A charity supporting families of children with terminal illnesses is set to open its first shop and support hub.

Amber's Army, based in Horsford, Norfolk, was set up by Amanda and Jon Sheehy in memory of their eight-year-old daughter Amber, who died on 14 January 2023 from cancer.

The shop and support hub will open in Drayton, in the county, later this year to raise funds and provide space for families to get support.

Ms Sheehy said: "When your child's been given a terminal diagnosis, you've got the hospices, which are amazing, and the hospital for support, but I think it's really important that they've got a home from home atmosphere that they can go to."

The unit will have a charity shop at the front, with a support hub room in the back

Owning a charity shop is something that Ms Sheehy said Amber "always wanted."

"The charity shop, in the first instance, is where our hearts were," she said.

"When we found this property, we couldn't believe that we could actually have this space so families could leave their own homes, come and meet me, receive support."

Building work at the property is under way, and Ms Sheehy hoped the facilities would be open in "mid or late November."

"It needs completely gutting, with building work, painters, decorators, and lots of resources," she said.

"We've had some wonderful people donate some materials for us already... It's a huge job, but very exciting."

'Gives us strength'

The charity's purpose is to provide emotional support and help families of children with terminal diagnoses to create lifelong memories.

Ms Sheehy said that helping other families has given her the strength to keep going.

"It's only been a year and a half that we've been supporting people... It's gone huge, it's crazy," she said.

"The fact that we can help other families gives us strength, it makes us get up, get the shop ready, get events organised, speak to families.

"We can't hide away, we have to get on and help others, and keep Amber's memory alive."