THE charity BALLOONS (Bereavement And Loss LOoking ONwardS), which works with pre-and post-bereaved children, young people and their families in Exeter, Crediton and across Mid and East Devon, has received a donation of £5,000 from The Morrisons Foundation.

The presentation, made at Morrisons Crediton store off Mill Street, was made, jointly, by Kym Anderton, store manager, Hazel Evely, the store’s community champion and Sandra Williams, personnel assistant, to Sarah Bennett, chief executive officer for BALLOONS Devon.

Sarah thanked the store for the donation and said it would go towards helping about 20 children and their families who have suffered a loss.

She explained: “We work with children who have suffered a catastrophic loss, which could be a mum, dad, brother or sister.

“We work with those who are left behind after suicide or murder, those who have suffered after loss caused by road accidents, terminal illness or a terminal diagnosis.

“BALLOONS helps right up to the time of death and afterwards at probably the worst point in a child’s life.”

Sarah explained that 70 per cent of men in prison had lost a parent in childhood, explaining that some criminal activity is attributed to people becoming socially isolated after the loss of a parent.

She said this was further evidence why the charity was so important.

She explained that the charity had helped a number of Crediton families.

Sarah added: “BALLOONS makes a huge difference in the work that it does and it is fantastic that The Morrisons Foundation is supporting this work.”