by Luke Voogt
A Geelong bereavement charity that has run for 34 years could close in months without an extra $150,000, its executive officer Salli Hickford has warned.
Hope Bereavement faced closure next April Ms Hickford confirmed, after Torquay-based MP Stuart Grimley recently called for State Government intervention.
“At this stage we can’t continue to provide services as we are currently,” she said.
Hope Bereavement began providing support to parents grieving the loss of a child in 1985.
But the charity had expanded to provide other services, including co-funding after suicide support with Jesuit Social Services, Ms Hickford explained.
Hope Bereavement had gone from supporting 50 families for about 30 years to more than 250 families recently, she said.
“Some of it is about being a victim of our own success. It’s grown so much in the last four or five years because of the services we offer.”
Moriac mother Jen Wilkinson, who spoke to the Indy in August about her son’s suicide, was one the beneficiaries of Hope Bereavement’s group counselling.
“To know that that’s there and they know what you’re going through is amazing,” she said this week.
“Who knows what the ripple effect of (Hope Bereavement closing will be).”
Ms Hickford had met with Mr Grimley, and Bellarine and Geelong government MPs Lisa Neville and Christine Couzens, who she described as “really supportive”.
Mr Grimley last Friday urged Mental Health Minister Martin Foley to support the charity.
“Presently no government support is received and they run on a shoe-string budget,” he said.
“Would the minister be open to meeting with (Ms) Hickford to discuss the prospects of government assistance, grants or future funding opportunities?”
As a former police officer Mr Grimley had often dealt with grieving families needing support, he said.
“This type of grief support for emergency services personnel is invaluable.”
A spokesperson for Mr Foley indicated the minister would like to meet with Ms Hickford.
“We’re very happy to meet with organisations from across the state and discuss the work they’re doing to improve their communities, including those in the Geelong region,” they said.
“We will absolutely take him up on that offer,” Ms Hickford responded.
She encouraged locals to donate to Hope Bereavement’s campaign, which had raised about $37,000, by visiting www.givenow.com.au/hope.
“The Geelong community have been incredibly generous to Hope.”
For help phone Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
