Yesterday afternoon, the local community came together at Willow Burn Hospice for a deeply moving occasion: the official launch of a beautiful new book, Will O'Burn and the Friends Who Remember.
Written by Victoria Downes and illustrated by Helen Turner, this special book is designed to help children navigate the complex landscape of grief, offering them a gentle way to understand their feelings after losing a loved one.
A Community United by a Vital Cause
The launch event brought together numerous 'Friends of Willow Burn' to celebrate the culmination of this meaningful project. Both Victoria and Helen were in attendance, sharing insights into their creative process during an insightful interview with BBC Radio Newcastle presenter Anna Foster.
A particularly poignant moment of the afternoon came when Victoria read the book aloud to those gathered. It was an incredibly emotional experience—balancing the profound sadness of loss with the comfort, hope, and happiness that the story aims to bring to young readers.
Our Connection to Willow Burn
As an organisation, we are incredibly proud of our close ties to the hospice. Our own Melanie Cant attended the launch to represent the network, standing alongside familiar faces from the community.
Willow Burn holds a special place within our network, not least because of the dedicated work of its leadership team, which includes joint CEO Rachel Quince and Marketing Manager Ali English. Seeing the impact of their hard work firsthand reinforces why supporting local initiatives like this is so vital.
Will O'Burn and the Friends Who Remember is more than just a story; it is a vital resource for families during their most challenging moments. We congratulate Victoria, Helen, and the entire team at Willow Burn on a successful launch and a beautiful contribution to bereavement support.
How to Support and Purchase
The book is available to buy directly from Willow Burn Hospice or one of their charity shops. You can also purchase a copy online for £8.99 via this link: Willow Burn Hospice Book Shop.
