Ganarew Nursing Home welcomed some special visitors last week when founders of the charity Leanne’s Gift were given the proceeds from a recent afternoon tea fundraiser.

Leanne’s Gift was set up to support families who have lost a child through a road traffic collision (RTC), whether they are living at home or at university accommodation and also helps to raise awareness of road safety.

In 2013, Leanne Davies who was just 19 years old was a passenger in a car that was involved with a RTC; she died as a result of her injuries. At the time of her death, Leanne was living at home with her family and was training to be a hair stylist. Leanne’s parents were both in jobs where, for different reasons, they were not entitled to paid time off, leaving them not only struggling to pay for her funeral but also with the day to day living costs of the family. There is currently nothing in place from the government to financially support a parent who loses a child in a RTC, however there is if it were a spouse.

Leanne’s wider family and friends clubbed together and organised a fun day and collected donations to help Leanne’s family pay for her headstone. And in total they raised over £2,000. As a result of their friends’ kindness and in memory of Leanne, her family wanted to be able to help other families, who go through the pain of losing a child in a RTC by being able to provide some financial aid to them whether it be to pay funeral costs or to buy a week’s groceries.

So far they have raised £20,000 and the donation from Ganarew Nursing Home of £426 - £213 from the nursing home and doubled by the owners Milkwood Care Ltd - is another boost to their funds.

Anyone wishing to learn more can visit the website www.leannesgift.co.uk