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Mollie King visits charity supporting bereaved children for Red Nose Day
The story you are about to read includes references to bereavement and loss, reader caution is advised Radio 1 host
Mollie King visited Balloons, a Devon-based charity which has received funds from Comic Relief that provides vital support to bereaved children and young people
During her visit, Mollie King shared her own experiences of grief following the passing of her father in November 2022
Organisations like Balloons are crucial in helping young individuals cope with loss
This week, Mollie has taken on the biggest challenge of her life to raise money for Red Nose Day
She is now on the final leg of her staggering solo 500km cycle ride from London to Hull, the hometown of her late father
Mollie will complete her challenge - Mollie King’s Pedal Power for Red Nose Day on Radio 1 - in Hull later today
Money raised this Red Nose Day could help to put food on plates and roofs over heads, keep little ones safe and help support families affected by conflict and climate change
To support Mollie King’s efforts and donate, visit comicrelief.com/pedalpower
Friday 15 March 2024: To learn how Red Nose Day donations can make a real difference, BBC Radio 1 host Mollie King visited Balloons, a Devon-based charity, funded by Comic Relief, which provides vital support to bereaved children and young people.
Balloons offer a range of support services, including one-to-one support, activity days, advice, information and resources, all aimed at helping bereaved children, young people, and their families.
Mollie, who is taking on a huge 500k solo cycle challenge to raise money for Red Nose Day this week, hopes to highlight the importance of organisations like Balloons in helping young individuals cope with loss, as her own grief following the passing of her father in November 2022 is what has spurred her on to want to help others who are struggling.
Mollie King said: "Grief is a part of life that most of us will experience, and it's never easy. Losing my dad is one of the hardest things I've ever had to go through, and I'm in my thirties, so I can only imagine what it's like for a child."
During the visit, Mollie spent time with Abby, who lost her father at the age of 11. Through Balloons, Abby found a safe space to express her feelings and receive the support she needed to navigate through her grief journey. Abby said: "They've helped me realise I'm not alone. The best thing about Balloons is the sense of community and understanding they provide."
Mollie added: "I've been really inspired meeting Abby and seeing how, with the help of Balloons, she's been able to cope with losing her dad. Grief is a club none of us want to be part of, no matter how old we are, and projects like this are vital in helping young people through one of the hardest times of their lives."
Nicola Clark, CEO of Balloons, emphasised the crucial role of funding in allowing the charity to continue its essential work. "The funding from Comic Relief enables us to pay for our volunteers' training and necessary resources, ensuring we can continue to support children and young people facing bereavement," she explained.
Claire, a counsellor at Balloons, shared her rewarding experience of working with bereaved children over the past decade. Claire said: "We see children at the beginning of their grief journey and give them the coping skills they need to navigate life without their loved ones."
Mollie is set to complete her extraordinary challenge - Mollie King’s Pedal Power for Red Nose Day on Radio 1 - today. From Monday 11 March to Friday 15 March, Mollie has embarked on a solo 500k cycling journey from London to Hull, the hometown of her late father.
The money raised for Mollie King’s Pedal Power for Red Nose Day on Radio 1 could help break the cycle of poverty for people in UK and around the world. This includes support for children and young people who are experiencing neglect, abuse, stigma and physical and mental trauma.
To support Mollie King’s efforts and donate visit comicrelief.com/pedalpower.
If you, or someone you know is in need of help or support, please visit comicrelief.com/support.
