Prince William has voiced support for the merger of two child bereavement charities, which are aiming to increase the reach and impact of their services and training.
Child Bereavement UK and Winston’s Wish said their merger, unveiled last week, will combine their services at a time when demand is increasing.
The newly merged charity will retain the name Child Bereavement UK and Prince William, who has been Child Bereavement UK’s patron since 2009, will continue as its royal patron.
Prince William said: “In my 16 years as patron of Child Bereavement UK, I’ve seen the life-changing impact of their work and how the support, care and compassion provided protects the long-term health and wellbeing of those living with loss.
“I’ve also seen the growing need for support of this kind, and it’s because of this increasing demand that I’m delighted that Child Bereavement UK and Winston’s Wish are joining forces to expand their impact.”
‘Strategic partnership’
Child Bereavement UK is the larger of the two merging charities, recording a total income of £3.88m in the year to August 2023 and employing 88 people. It helps children, young people, parents and families rebuild their lives when a child grieves or dies.
Meanwhile, Winston’s Wish, which provides digital bereavement information, advice and support for young people, recorded an income of £2.53m in the year to March 2024 and employed 49 members of staff.
The charities said the merged organisation will be “one unified entity” that supports bereaved children, young people, parents and families and educates professionals across the UK.
Fergus Crow, who has been chief executive of Winston’s Wish since 2015, will become CEO of the merged charity.
It follows the retirement of Ann Chalmers in September 2024, who had been Child Bereavement UK’s CEO for 21 years.
Liz Gratton, chair of Winston’s Wish, said: “Combining our expertise, networks, and resources to address issues with greater impact and efficiency will allow us to deliver new projects, expand reach, and serve a broader demographic of bereaved communities that neither organisation could achieve alone.”
Alexander Fitzgibbons, chair of Child Bereavement UK, said: “The merger is a strategic partnership built on a vision of growth, expansion and opportunity.
“With more, we can do more. Together, we can reach further, giving a stronger voice to bereaved children, young people, parents and families across the UK.”
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