How troubles shared eased parents' pain

8:45am Wednesday 29th November 2006

BEREAVED Chard parents Colin and Jenny Barnes say sharing their feelings with others has helped them cope with the loss of their daughter.

Former Avishayes Primary and Holyrood Community school pupil Sarah Barnes was 23 when she died following a car crash near Forton two years ago.

An investigation into the incident suggested Sarah had most probably swerved to avoid hitting a roe deer.

Since then, Colin and Jenny have taken comfort from knowing that Sarah has given life to others by registering as an organ donor before she died.

Over the last year, they have also been working with Donyatt woman Carol Crane in setting up the Rosie Crane Trust for bereaved parents.

The trust was established in memory of Carol's daughter, Rosie, who was 23 when she died from Leukaemia two years ago. Coincidentally, Rosie Crane and Sarah Barnes were classmates at Holyrood.

Now the trust is taking part in a worldwide candle-lighting event on Sunday, December 10, and Jenny, Colin and Carol are inviting others to join them.

Jenny told the News: "Since the accident, it has been a long and, at times, lonely journey.

"One of the things that has helped us through is the friendship of Carol. We have found that being able to talk with Carol has really helped as she understands what we are going through, having experienced the pain and sadness herself.

"After seeing the need for bereaved parents to be able to talk about their grief, we have become involved in the Rosie Crane Trust, which supports be-reaved parents. Doing something positive for other people is very important to us."

The candle-lighting event is organised by The Compassionate Friends and the idea is for bereaved parents all around the world to light a candle to commemorate and honour their child 'that their light may always shine'.

The candles will be lit at 7pm and the Rosie Crane Trust is inviting parents, siblings and friends to join the event, which is at Broadway Village Hall, starting at 6.30pm with hot punch.

After the candle-lighting there will be tea, coffee and biscuits. For further information, and to reserve a candle, contact Carol Crane on 01460-53968.

The aims of the Rosie Crane Trust include setting up a befriending service, a 24-hour phone helpline and a monthly drop-in centre.