Bringing comfort to shattered lives (From Barry And District News)

Bringing comfort to shattered lives

A BARRY woman has raised over £1,000 to help families that have tragically lost young children.

Claire Salter, of Solva Close, is helping boost funds for a local charity looking into Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

This is a subject very close to her heart, following the tragic death of her goddaughter, Eluned Cariad Gardiner, known as Ellie. The little girl passed away on October 31 last year, just a few days before her second birthday.

Claire, 38, told the News: "When Ellie died, everyone felt so helpless. There was nothing we could say to comfort her parents Rob and Alison.

"So I raised money for the charity looking into causes of Sudden Infant Death, in the hope it will stop other families going through the same pain."

The Barclays Bank employee set up a scheme at Christmas, where she wrote to colleague's children as Santa asking for a cash donation.

"People were so generous. I wrote between 40 and 50 letters, and raised £566. This was matched pound for pound by Barclays Bank, she said.

"I personalised each letter. I matched brother's and sister's names up together, but with big chunks specially for the individual. I'd ask them to say 'hello' to their brother, or tell them I knew they'd done well at school. My colleagues' children were delighted."

Claire had to be careful how she answered some requests. She said: "There were appeals for Play-Stations, Game Boys, and Harry Potter stuff. But I had to be careful when I was asked for puppies."

Next year, Claire will help a different charity, "this year, I had to do something practical, and it was a very personal thing."

n If you would like to know more about Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or would like to make a donation, write to Foundation for the Study of Infant Death, 5th Floor, 4 Grosvenor Place, London, SW1X 7HD.