By Luke Voogt
Drysdale born-and-bred Australian netballer Emily Mannix has thrown her support behind a charity founded in Geelong for grieving children.
The Melbourne Vixens vice-captain and Australian Diamonds defender learned of Wombat’s Wish when the organisation relocated to Drysdale.
Coping with the loss of her own grandfather motivated her to become an ambassador for the charity, she explained.
“I think this is an amazing charity – a worthwhile cause to support and to promote as no child should have to go through the death of a parent alone,” Mannix said.
“Wombat’s Wish is just so important for children to understand that there is no right or wrong way to grieve and that what they are feeling is allowed.
“It’s also amazing that children can connect with other children who are going through a similar situation, so they don’t feel alone or misunderstood.”
According to Wombat’s Wish, one in 20 people will have a parent or carer die before they turn 18.
Wombat’s Wish was founded in Geelong in 2005 to support children and adolescents, along with surviving parents and carers.
Wombat’s Wish remains one of the few specialist services in Victoria for parentally-bereaved children, and provides camps, group counselling and family days.
The charity also provides education on understanding and expressing grief, and remembering during the grieving process.
Wombat’s Wish receives no government funding and does not charge families for its service, relying solely on donations, philanthropic trusts and fundraising.
Every dollar received directly supports a child through their grief, according to Wombat’s Wish.
Details: www.wombatswish.org.au.
