A HEARTBROKEN Halesowen mother has given up her job at a Rowley Regis school to help bereaved parents after losing a son of her own.

Lucy Goodway has joined the Edward’s Trust, a charity offering a holistic family bereavement service supporting children, young people and parents across the West Midlands.

And she is on the lookout for volunteers to help raise cash to allow the charity to continue its good work.

Mrs Goodway had worked at St. Michael’s CE High School for 12 years and was head of the girls' PE department when she decided to leave.

The new engagement and volunteering coordinator, said: “Edward’s Trust is an important charity providing essential services to children, young people and families and as a bereaved mother myself, I know first-hand how incredible the work the charity delivers – and we can’t do it without the generosity of our volunteers.

“Volunteering is priceless. The work our volunteers do from supporting social events to wrapping up Christmas presents, from shaking collection cans at New Street station to answering the telephones in the office – all invaluable and without people giving up their time, their skills, their experience and their commitment – we really wouldn’t be able to help the many children whose parents have died or mums like me who have to live with the pain after a stillbirth.”

Mrs Goodway joined Edward’s Trust following “the most difficult time of her life” when her son Jack was born ‘sleeping’ in 2014.

After receiving excellent support from Sands, a still born charity and attending an Edward’s Trust Parent Retreat as part of her grieving journey, she knew that her life was guiding her to a new career path, and not just a job but a vocation.

Now heading up the volunteering programme at Edward’s Trust, Lucy is very passionate about giving something back to the organisation that has supported her journey and is calling for more people to get involved.

She added:“There are many ways to volunteer at Edward’s Trust and there really is no minimum requirement, we have something for everyone whether that’s organising a tea party to running the marathon to supporting our administration team to helping out at social events.”

“Whether you can commit to something once a month or even once a year – we really do want to welcome you to the family, or as we call it Friends of Edward’s Trust. Come along on Saturday 18th February and let volunteering be your valentine this year. We really do love our volunteers and we can certainly promise you a fun date!”

Edward’s Trust was set up in 1989 by Peter and Hilary Dent in memory of their son Edward, who died aged seven.