‘You Raise Me Up’ charity based in Eastbourne, are one of the only national charity's who offer financial and emotional support to families who have sadly lost a child between the ages of 16 and 25. Founded in June 2011 with the sole purpose of raising funds to support these families. 

On 3rd May 2011 our founders Jane and Fraser lost their beautiful 17 year old daughter, Megan Brooks.  Megan suddenly collapsed and died at Eastbourne Rugby Club, just 9 days before her 18th birthday. 

Megan’s parents and her brother Oliver, were traumatised and trying to pick up the pieces of their lives whilst stumbling through the aftershock, they felt they had little or no guidance or support other than from family and close friends. 

Those first few days and weeks dealing with their loss and grief, whilst coping with the immediate demands of arranging a funeral were emotionally and financially challenging. How do you recover from the loss of a child? The pain and sorrow is incomprehensible. 

They knew after their experience how valuable and supportive it would have been had there been help available like our charity.

We are sad that the need is there, yet encouraged and comforted to know that the charity has helped so many families who have struggled not only with the funeral costs, but through the charity’s counselling service, offering emotional support as they re-build their lives. 

We offer help to local families and families further afield as well as peers of the deceased.  

The importance of mental health awareness is paramount to our work and therefore we also offer a 24 hour helpline service which has become increasingly utilised over the 10 years the charity has been established.  The helpline is manned 24 hours a day by trained counsellors.

Our Support Centre is an essential drop in centre for anyone who needs emotional support.  It is a safe place where people can go when need somewhere to turn and someone to talk to who "understands".

You Raise Me Up

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