Why Did This Funeral Director Give £500 to a Child Bereavement Charity?

A funeral director from Wadebridge has donated £500 to support the work of a Cornish charity that helps bereaved children.

Supporting Families in Grief

R J Bray & Son, based in North Cornwall, made the donation to Penhaligon’s Friends through their charitable fund, the Bray Fund. The fund was set up in 2013 to mark David Bray’s 30-year anniversary with the family-run funeral business.

Since its creation, the Bray Fund has donated thousands of pounds to local groups and causes in Wadebridge and the surrounding area.

Helping Children Cope with Loss

Penhaligon’s Friends has been offering bereavement support to children and young people across Cornwall for three decades. Each year, the charity works with more than 1,000 children and young people who have experienced the death of a family member or close friend.

The organisation provides a safe and supportive environment where grieving children can talk about their experiences and begin to heal. They also offer guidance and training to parents, schools, and professionals to help them support children dealing with loss.

David Bray said:

“Over the many years that I have worked in the funeral profession, I have sadly had to conduct many funerals that have involved bereaved children. We wanted to give this donation to Penhaligon’s Friends to help them with the fantastic work they do.”

Local Impact in Wadebridge

According to Julie Parker, Chief Executive of Penhaligon’s Friends, the charity supported 51 children from 30 families in the Wadebridge and surrounding area in the last year alone.

Julie said:

“We are so grateful to David and his family for supporting our work through the Bray Fund. It will help us continue providing help and support to young people aged 4 to 18 across the county.”

To find out more about Penhaligon’s Friends, visit penhaligonsfriends.org.uk.

📷Left to Right - Julie Parker from Penhaligon's Friends receives the Bray Fund donation from David Bray of RJ Bray & Sons, Wadebridge.