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Mark helps children offer touching tribute to loved ones
TV presenter Mark Rhodes helped youngsters from across pay tribute to lost loved ones in a touching memorial service organised by Compton Hospice.
It was the first event of its kind, held on Saturday (July 14), designed specially for the children who access bereavement support counselling at the hospice, to help them cope with losing a parent or other family member through a terminal illness.
A number of the children read poems or stories about their loved ones and displayed paintings and crafts that expressed their feelings.
Mark, from Darlaston, who shot to fame as a Pop Idol contestant and now presents BBC2’s Level Up, knew of the hospice’s workafter their community nurses helped his family care for his mum at home when she became seriously ill with cancer. He gave an emotional speech about his experiences of overcoming grief during the service and stayed to chat to the children and their families afterwards.
He said: “Mum was great; she would tell everyone about me, she was so proud. It’s been really special to be here today to celebrate her life.”
Organiser of the day, families bereavement support worker Ann Doherty, said: “We often think kids are resilient and bounce back after suffering a loss.
“Because they often display their grief differently to adults, we think they’re not going through the same emotional turmoil.
“But it’s so important to help them express their feelings, whether it be through art, words or actions, otherwise it can come out in other ways - or even affect them later in life.
“This service offered them the opportunity to join together with others in similar situations, giving them time to reflect, share their special memories and gain support.”
Speakers included eleven-year-old Georgina Devaney, of Wednesfield who told of her larger-than-life, American wrestler dad, Paul, otherwise known as ‘Wild Angus McGregor’.
“I was really close to my dad,” she said. “He brought me up because my mum died two days after I was born.
“He was always playing pranks and making me laugh, even when he was really ill.”
Paul caught septicaemia following an industrial injury when Georgie was one. He endured three open heart surgeries and was due for a heart and lung transplant, but died shortly after being admitted to hospital on Georgie’s tenth birthday last year. He was 40. Georgina and her brother, Ben, are now living with their auntie and uncle, Ruth and Alan Oakley.
Ruth added: “Today has been important for all of us. All our lives have changed dramatically over the past year and we haven’t really had time to stop and think.
“I can’t speak highly enough of the hospice. They’ve supported us and the children in coming to terms with losing Paul and have spoken to Georgie and Ben’s school on our behalf - helping the teachers understand what they are going through and how their grief might affect their behaviour.
“I’m so glad they’ve given us this opportunity to reflect and remember Paul in the way he would want us to - celebrating his life.”
Liam, Mason, and Jordan Fellows, aged 11, 9 and 13, also shared memories of their dad, Mark.
Mum, Beverley said: “Everyone knew and loved Mark. He was a DJ and performed in all the local clubs.
“He was taken from us really quickly - we only found out his cancer was terminal in January this year, and we lost him a month later. He had bowel cancer with secondary tumours in his liver, lung and brain.
“Having this memorial service today means the world to us, because we want to tell everyone how much we still love him, and share our happy memories with others.”
The service also included solo performances by 18-year-old Niamh Allen, who sang ‘The Rose’ and ‘Because you loved me’, and ended with a balloon release tribute.
Ann Doherty added: “We’ve had amazing feedback, with everyone telling us how important today has been for them - and how uplifting they’ve found it.
“I’d like to say a huge thanks to Mark Rhodes for coming along and making the day so special for the children.
“And to everyone who has contributed to the success of the event, not least the children, who have shown real courage in sharing their stories.”
If you have any further questions about Compton Hospice and General, please call 0845 225 5497 or contact us. We will do our utmost to help with your enquiry.
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