Remembering mothers and children this Mother's Day

MAM, mother, mammy, mom, mum – whatever you call the woman who brought you into the world, the time to remember her is fast approaching on Mother’s Day, this Sunday, March 26.

Mayo-based charity Anam Cara is asking people to share a special picture with their mother using the hashtag #MammyandMe on social media, and nominate three friends or family members to do the same.

Anam Cara provides support services to families who have experienced the death of a child. Social media users are being asked to donate €2 to Anam Cara by texting REMEMBER to 50300.

Mother’s Day is a particularly difficult time for those who have been bereaved of their mother or their child.

Sharon Vard, CEO, Anam Cara, said: “Our #MammyandMe campaign is about remembering our mothers and also the many mums throughout Ireland who will be missing their children’s hugs today and every other day of the year. On Mother’s Day we like to remember our own mothers for all they do or have done for us, we’re just asking people to get involved and any funds raised will help Anam Cara provide support services to those that will be suffering following the terrible and unimaginable ordeal of losing a child.”

Nearly two thirds of Irish people know someone whose child has died, but the intense grief associated with the loss of a child lasts much longer than society realises. It’s estimated that last year 2,100 families suffered the loss of a son or daughter.

Anam Cara is an all-Ireland support organisation set up by bereaved parents to address the lack of bereavement support services available for families in Ireland who have experienced the death of a child. In particular, the families whose son or daughter died suddenly outside a hospital or hospice system who often find themselves beyond the realms of any bereavement services, struggling to cope with the intense grief and huge loss in their lives.

Anam Cara services are free of charge and open to all bereaved parents, regardless of the age of their child, the circumstances of their death, or whether this was recent or not. Their support group meets every month or so at the Family Centre, Chapel Street, Castlebar. The next event is an information evening with a guest speaker on Thursday, March 30, at 7.30 p.m. The talk will be brief and then there will be an opportunity for to speak about their journey through grief or just to be present among others who understand.

For more information on its services, please visit www.anamcara.ie or call its information line on (085) 2888 888.