When the Noah's Ark Trust collapsed last year three members of staff, still reeling from losing their jobs, resolved to find a way to carry on with the vital service they offer bereaved children.

Tina Harris and Lorraine Smith, who worked closely with the youngsters, and Liz Collins, who was a fund raiser for Noah's Ark, have set up a new organisation called Phoenix Bereavement Services. Lorraine, who is taking on the role of Family Support Manager said that the phoenix is not just symbolic of rising from the ashes, it is also a symbol of hope, in Russian mythology a feather plucked from the phoenix's tail will provide a light in the dark. The organisers of the new charity, who live in Ross, want it to provide a light to youngsters from five - 21 who have lost someone close to them.

They know there is a need for their service, last year they had seen 80 children up until October and this year they expected to contact 164 children.

They see themselves as filling the hole left by Noah's Ark but Lorraine was quick to point out that they are a completely new charity. They will only concentrate on Herefordshire, all volunteers and trustees are from within the county and all funds raised in the county will be used to support children within Herefordshire.

Their first priority is to register as a charity but to do this they need to have £5,000. They are already well on the way as a Christmas party held at the Welsh Club in Hereford brought in over £2,500. Lorraine said:?"We cannot apply to organisations such as the Big Lottery, Children in Need or Comic Relief until we are a registered charity. But as well as large funding grants we really need lots of people to give small amounts regularly.

"We also need people or organisations who can offer activities or even rooms we can use."

To contact Phoenix Bereavement Services to offer financial or any other sort of help, or to make a referral, contact 01432 264555 or email [email protected]">[email protected]