Bereavement charity 2wish comes to Bristol and Somerset

Rhian Mannings set up 2wish after losing her one-year-old son George and husband Paul

A charity supporting families affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a child or young person has expanded.

Bereavement charity 2wish, set up in Wales in 2012, is now operating in Bristol, Somerset and Gloucestershire.

It was established by Rhian Mannings MBE, after she and her husband Paul experienced the heartache of losing their one-year-old son George.

Paul took his own life five days later with 27 February marking 12 years since his death.

Ms Mannings, who won a Pride of Britain award in 2020 for her work with the bereavement charity, said: "We've seen the significant difference that we're making to families who lose a child or young adult under certain circumstances and are proud to be able to extend our support to local communities in England."

The charity has so far supported more than 1,400 families who have lost a child or young person aged 25 or under.

It works with organisations such as the Police, NHS Wales and Organ Donation Wales to help support families.

'Hugely traumatic time'

"Our jobs are as incredibly hard as they are rewarding," Ms Mannings said.

"We meet devastated families at the lowest ebb of their lives [which] is a hugely traumatic time, and sudden loss can have a profound effect on the mental health of parents, siblings and other family members.

"We believe this support is essential and will prevent further families walking out into the night with no hope and no support.

"We are very proud that we are now able to extend this help and support to families on the English borders," she added.

As a result of the expansion, the charity will now be known as 2wish Cymru in Wales and 2wish in England.

Ms Mannings said 2wish Cymru will be financially independent of the England operation and will still "very much be there for the people of Wales".