Halo casts a light on supporting bereaved children with launch of new HQ

Hillingdon-based charity Halo which provides support to bereaved children celebrated the launch of its official HQ with special guest The Mayor of Hillingdon Cllr Carol Melvin.

The charity opened its new head office at Hayes Business Studios at Uxbridge College’s Hayes campus, with guests including Cllr Melvin and her husband and consort Andrew Melvin. Cllr Melvin has chosen Halo as one of the three charities she will be supporting through her fundraising activities during her year in office. Other guests at the launch included families who have benefitted from the charity’s work, supporters, therapists, 13-year-old HALO volunteer and ambassador Stevie, and X Factor singer Marianna Zappi.

As well as offering an access point for Halo’s services, the new HQ will be used as an office space from which to apply for funding and grants towards opening a Bereavement & Play Centre. Halo’s supporters are also raising money through a range of activities including sponsored walks, head shaves and a sky dive.

Halo, which is run entirely by volunteers, provides bereaved children and families from the local area and beyond with support, counselling, art therapy, weekly drop-in, a monthly Expressive Arts & Play Group, a bereavement book library, and personalised memory boxes and cushions.

Alia Jones, Founder of Halo Children’s Foundation, said: “Halo’s HQ launch was a fantastic event and everyone had a great time – we were thrilled to have the Mayor of Hillingdon Cllr Carol Melvin with us and are very grateful she has chosen to support us. We are really excited about having a single point of contact for all our services and a dedicated space for our fundraising activities.”

Alia founded the charity after losing her own husband when her children were aged just 2 years and 3 weeks old. She was recently chosen as a final nominee in the Women of the Year Awards, which celebrates the achievements of exceptional women from all over the UK, attending the organisation’s annual lunch and appearing on ITV’s Lorraine Show which supports the event.

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