Light the Way: Our Christmas Appeal Shines a Spotlight on Two Inspiring Young Ambassadors

The festive season can be a joyful time but for many families we support, it’s also one of the hardest. When you’re facing or coping with the death of a loved one, Christmas can bring a complex mix of emotions, memories, and moments that feel overwhelming.

That’s why we’ve launched our Light the Way Christmas Appeal, a campaign that helps us ensure children and young people don’t have to navigate grief alone. And this year, we’re proud to share a very special video featuring two of our wonderful Young Ambassadors, Reece and Hannah.

Their words, courage and honesty are at the heart of this appeal.

Sharing their stories to help others feel less alone

In the video, Reece and Hannah talk openly about their experiences of losing a parent at a young age, and how Jigsaw South East helped them understand their feelings, find support, and rebuild hope.

Now, as a Young Ambassador and a Young Ambassador Mentor, they’re determined to “light the way” for other children and young people facing bereavement.

We are incredibly grateful to them both for bravely telling their stories. Their voices remind us why our work matters and why community support is so vital.

Why this appeal matters

Every day in the UK, 127 children are newly bereaved of a parent or caregiver.

Behind every number is a child or a young person, learning to live with the death of someone they love.

At Jigsaw South East, we bring families together to share, to talk, and to heal. We listen. We guide. We help children understand that while life after death is different, it can still hold hope, connection, and joy.

This year alone our support workers helped over 900 children and young people last year in Surrey, Sussex and Kent.

But we can only continue this work with the support of our community.

Help us reach our £100,000 fundraising goal

This Christmas appeal is part of a year-long fundraising drive to raise £100,000, ensuring we can continue supporting bereaved families across Surrey, West Sussex and East Sussex and Kent.

With the incredible generosity of our supporters, we have already reached over £90,000 but we need help to close the gap.

As a small, independent charity with no statutory funding, every donation truly makes a difference. Your kindness helps us answer more calls, run more support sessions, and provide care to every child who needs us.

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