Bereavement charity appeals for votes for Charity Film Awards
Child Bereavement UK has been unveiled as one of the finalists for the 2019 Charity Film Awards. The Charity Film Awards celebrate the effective use of video by the third sector to change mindsets, raise awareness for the charity or fundraise.
Child Bereavement UK was recognised for its #One More Minute film. The short film asks bereaved children and parents supported by the charity - together with bereaved celebrity patrons and friends of the charity including Mary Berry, Jason Watkins and Rio Ferdinand - what they would say if they had ‘one more minute’ with their special person who has died. The film concludes with a message from Child Bereavement UK’s Royal Patron, HRH The Duke of Cambridge.
Dealing sensitively but unflinchingly with the reality of bereavement, the film also encourages viewers to share their own 'one more minute' films and messages.
Child Bereavement UK supports families and educates professionals both when a baby or child of any age is dying, and when a child is facing bereavement. The charity provides face-to-face bereavement support to families and children across the UK, with services in Scotland, Cumbria, Cheshire, Buckinghamshire and London. It also offers support groups for families and parents, and a national helpline.
Among those featured in the film was Lewis, who was supported by Child Bereavement UK in Buckinghamshire after his father died when he was just four years old. Lewis says:
“If I had one more minute, I would say ‘I love you’ because I couldn’t say that, I didn’t have the chance to.”
Shinobi was supported by Child Bereavement UK in East London following the death of his grandmother: Shinobi says:
“If I had one more minute I would tell her that I know you didn’t want to leave me alone, but it was your time to go.”
Mary Berry, whose son, William, died aged 19, says:
“I would thank him. I would thank him for being a brilliant son.”
The finalists have been through two stages of judging. Fifty thousand people took part in the public voting stage to determine the shortlist, and the Charity Film Awards panel of expert judges, which included David Eades, Journalist & Newsreader, BBC; Philip Collins, Journalist & Speechwriter, The Times; and Georgina Lewis, Head of Marketing the FA; selected the finalists. The winners will be announced on 26 April.
Simon Burton, Co-Founder of the Charity Film Awards said:
‘In the digital age, charities’ use of video is fundamental to engage the hearts and minds of their communities. The Finalists are the very best examples of that in action.”
Ann Chalmers, Chief Executive of Child Bereavement UK said:
“Child Bereavement UK is thrilled that our #OneMoreMinute film has been recognised by these prestigious awards. We are indebted to the bereaved children, young people and parents who so openly shared their experiences of the impact of bereavement on their lives. The film has helped the charity to reach many more families needing support – calls to our helpline increased by 78% during the campaign.”
As well as standing a chance of winning an award in its category of charities with an income of £500k - £5m, #OneMoreMinute also has chance to win the ‘People’s Choice’ Award’ for the film which receives the most public votes.
Ann Chalmers added: “Please support Child Bereavement UK by taking ‘one more minute’ to watch and vote for our film. Being a finalist is a wonderful way for us to raise awareness of the need for bereavement support; winning the People’s Choice Award would be particularly special, showing we are making inroads into breaking the taboos that exist around death and bereavement.”
To watch the film and register to vote go to: www.charityfilmawards.com/videos/one-more-minute
ENDS
Notes for Editors
Child Bereavement UK supports families and educates professionals both when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, and when a child is facing bereavement. Every year we train around 10,000 health professionals helping them to better understand and meet the needs of grieving families.
www.childbereavementuk.org
Press Enquiries:
Tel: 01494 568913
Email: media@childbereavementuk.org