Putting their best foot forward in memory of son Liam

Paula and Dave Allen will lead a sponsored walk seven times around Thrybergh Reservoir next Sunday, October 11.

The walk is in memory of their seven-year-old son Liam, who died last November in Rotherham Hospital, but also to raise funds for special packs Paula is putting together for children who have lost siblings.

Paula, of East Dene, said she hoped the packs would "help them deal with and feel involved in the loss of their brother or sister".

The mum of five, who will be making a collection on the day, added: "We feel strongly about this because firstly we have been and are still going through this with our own children and secondly we don't feel there is enough out there for siblings.

"When we left hospital without Liam, we were given a box and leaflets and all kinds of information but we were given nothing to help the kids - I want to change that.

"My plan is to get the first lot of funds to make my first packs. With feedback from parents, I would hopefully go on to make more.

"I plan to distribute leaflets into hospitals and funeral homes so they can make parents aware that there is this help available for their other children, too."

Paula said the sibling packs would include a jute bag on which children could paint a picture or design remembering their brother and sister, some paints to complete the artwork with and possibly a small slice of wood to decorate.

She also hopes to add a memory book to fill in, age-appropriate leaflets about how to cope with bereavement and a personalised picture frame.

"I personally feel the children need these things to help them not only feel involved but to help them deal with the loss that they too are feeling," said Paula.

"Child loss is hard, not just on the parents of the children but extremely hard for siblings, making it harder for parents to deal with because they just don;t have the resources to help their children.

"All we really want to do when our children are upset is make them feel better again. How can we do that if they don't feel part of that loss?"

Paula has founded a PayPal account for donations: [email protected].

The Advertiser told last month how Paula had arranged to mark the anniversary of Liam's death in November by having Blackpool Tower lit in green - his favourite colour - and purple - the colour of epilepsy awareness.