Read the full article here: https://www.forces.net/news/military-charity-extends-support-bereaved-children-healthcare-workers
A charity that supports children who have lost parents serving in the military has begun extending its service to bereaved children of frontline health workers battling coronavirus.
It is thought around 200 UK health workers have lost their lives during the outbreak.
Denny Wise set up the Forces Children’s Trust after his best friend’s son died in Iraq, leaving behind a child and a pregnant wife.
He told Forces News he decided to extend the charity’s work after hearing the story of a pregnant nurse who died from coronavirus. Her baby had to be delivered by cesarean.
“I just thought to myself, ‘well, these children are no different, they are fighting an unknown enemy’,” he said.
“We can help those children and make them feel that they are part of a family, which the FCT [Forces Children’s Trust] is, that cares and we do care.”
The children who currently benefit from the charity’s help are now fundraising themselves so the trust can extend its support.
Mr Wise said the children of “anybody within the NHS” are eligible for the support.
The charity also helps children whose parents have sustained life-changing injuries while serving in the military or civil emergency services.