Bereavement charity Charlies-Angel-Centre Foundation is soldiering on during its most challenging year yet

Carrie-Ann Curtis, far left, with Ruth Curtis, Clive Key, Sam Key, and Chloe Hill at the Charlies-Angel-Centre Foundation in Leeds.

A support centre for grieving families is fighting back after its most challenging year.

In the last 13 months Charlies-Angel-Centre Foundation has had to cope with a break-in at its bereavement centre in Beeston and with the coronavirus pandemic.

Last December £6,000 of equipment and toys were taken during a burglary at its base on Parkside Lane. £3,000 worth of damage was also caused.

The family run charity is named after Charlie Arthur Curtis who died in December 2012 shortly after being born. His mum Carrie-Ann and her step mother Ruth Curtis are among the co-founders of the charity which helps anyone affected by the death of a child of any age.

Charlies-Angel-Centre Foundation helps bereaved parents and families rebuild their lives.

Ruth Curtis said: “It was awful when we were burgled. Who would do that? It’s quite obvious that it’s a bereavement charity, it’s in big letters everywhere.”

But as news of the crime spread, so did acts of kindness from the community. One firm donated £20,000 worth of metal roller blinds, which were fitted to the front of the building to make it more secure. While others installed CCTV and an alarm for free. The Freemasons also gave them a grant to replace items, and families from across Yorkshire made donations.

But just as the charity was getting back on its feet, Covid-19 hit in March and the centre had to shut until July. The charity, which depends on income from fundraising, lost an estimated £25,000 in revenue during the four-month lockdown following the cancellation of events.

Ruth said it was heartbreaking to see the normally welcoming and relaxing centre stand empty. But they were determined to keep helping the 100 plus families it supports each month.

Charlie Curtis, who died shortly after he was born, was the inspiration for the bereavement charity that bears his name.

Ruth added: “Luckily we managed to get a few of our student counsellors and qualified councillors extra training so they could do telephone and zoom counselling, which was really fantastic because some of the families we were concerned about were still able to access help.”

The centre hasn’t had to shut during the second lockdown as it is supporting vulnerable adults. But it is operating under strict covid-secure protocols and with limited numbers in the building. Families can still access services like face-to-face counselling or do it remotely via phone or Zoom.

But its annual memorial service for families of bereaved children, which is normally staged at The Church of St Cross in Middleton, will now be held virtually on Thursday December 17, at 7pm.