Charity borne from woman's grief helps thousands

Linda Magistris has been appointed OBE for her work to help the bereaved

About 650,000 people a year experience bereavement, but despite the profound effect it has on people's lives, it remains something that is rarely discussed.

Linda Magistris from Poole said she felt "lost and alone" following the death of her partner, TV director Graham Theakston, in 2014.

Those struggles led her to launch the Good Grief Trust which has helped thousands of people find support.

Her mission to help others has seen her presented with a Prime Minister's Point of Light award and, most recently, she was appointed OBE for her services to the bereaved.

The former child actor first met Mr Theakston on the set of BBC children's drama Grange Hill in the late 1970s but it was not until three decades later that a chance encounter sparked a romantic relationship.

But after eight years together, Mr Theakston died, having been diagnosed with a rare soft-tissue carcinoma.

Linda Magistris set up the Good Grief Trust following the death of Graham Theakston

Ms Magistris said: "I was on my knees after losing Graham.

"I was living in London at the time and I realised then that we needed to bring an umbrella organisation together for the UK, to help the bereaved as well as professionals, because they really struggled to help me to find support."

Ms Magistris said she learned about her OBE by email instead of the customary letter.

"My letter went to an old address in London and they had been trying to find me for three weeks," she said.

"About a month ago I got an email, which I couldn't believe at all - I had to telephone them to check."

Although she is named in the King's Birthday Honours list, Ms Magistris says the accolade is recognition of the charity's team and volunteers.

"You cannot do this by yourself and it's a team effort," she said.

"Let's hope this honour will drive that work forward."