Organised by THE GOOD GRIEF PROJECTWe are a group of bereaved parents and siblings who've accepted the challenge to climb the 3 iconic Yorkshire peaks. Please support us by donating to THE GOOD GRIEF PROJECT our charity dedicated finding active and creative ways of expressing grief.
This is a fundraising challenge open to any bereaved parent, sibling (over 16).
It is our collective way of honouring our children, all of whom have died too soon. It’s also about coming together in a joint enterprise to share our grief in an active way – to walk, talk and find a renewed confidence in doing something really physical, quite demanding but also inspiring. You can help us realise this goal by donating to THE GOOD GRIEF PROJECT, dedicated to helping the bereaved find new, active and creative ways of expressing their grief. All funds we raise will go to helping less advantaged bereaved families attend our Active Grief Weekend retreats.
Yorkshire's Three Peaks (Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough) form part of the Pennine range, and encircle the head of the valley of the River Ribble in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Our challenge is to complete the 24 mile trek and 1585m (5200ft) of ascent in under 12 hours. So it’s no walk in the park.
The aim of the retreats is to support the bereaved as they look for new and creative ways of expressing their feelings as they come to terms with the death of a son or daughter. The weekends are open to any bereaved parent or sibling, no matter how the child died or how long ago. During the weekend participants have the opportunity to take part in three different sessions - photography, creative writing and physical activity. No previous experience is necessary and their is absolutely no requirement to join in. There is plenty of time just to be, to get to know other parents or to find your own space.
I 'm so grateful to you for providing such an open and safe space. You have unstuck me ..
Approximately 6000 young people under the age of 25 die in the UK every year leaving up to 50,000 newly bereaved close relatives and friends. Recent studies have shown that the social, psychological and financial costs of grief can be extreme. Many bereaved families report that over time they are expected to move on or put the death of their child behind them. This often results in isolation for the griever and anxieties and misunderstandings for those who care for them, an increase in alcoholism, marriage break up, loneliness, depression, poor job satisfaction - all of which amounts to a considerable but avoidable burden on the health service and on society in general.
The Good Grief Project and the Active Grief Weekends are the brainchild of bereaved parents Jane Harris and Jimmy Edmonds whose son Josh died in a road accident in Vietnam in 2011. Jane is a psychotherapist and Jimmy is a filmmaker. Their response to Josh's death has been to use both the still and the moving image to articulate their grief. They now want to help other bereaved families find creative ways of expressing their grief. The work of grief is to repair the fracture in our lives following the death of a loved one by definition a creative act and by attending one of these weekend retreats bereaved parents and siblings can learn new skills (primarily photography and creative writing) and engage in various physical activities that will help them re-evaluate their continuing relationship with the deceased. We don't pretend this is easy but the weekends are specifically designed by the bereaved for the bereaved where comfort and solidarity are paramount.
I now feel inspired to continue this journey knowing that grief won't tear me apart
It costs about £14,000 to hold each retreat (or £350 per person). But we want to make places available to all, especially those on a limited income. Please help us to support mums and dads, brothers and sisters, even grandparents as they try to rebuild their lives after such a huge tragedy.
Being a member of the Active Grief Weekend team I have seen first-hand the incredible positive impact and nurturing support that is offered to bereaved parents. An almost sacred time where hearts and souls can be nurtured and there is space for a parent to truly feel they can find the space to be with their lost child. - (Joe Edmonds, Personal Trainer)
If you are a bereaved parent, sibling or grandparent and would like to join us on this amazing challenge - please email: joe@thegoodgriefproject.co.uk
Thank you for your support.
Jimmy and Jane and all at THE GOOD GRIEF PROJECT
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