In the lead up to its seventh annual gala event in Sydney on Saturday, September 21, local charity Feel the Magic is seeking the support of Hawkesbury businesses to continue its important work.
Feel the Magic is a national not-for-profit organisation based in Pitt Town. Its purpose is to create a world where children who are experiencing grief are supported to reach their full potential.
According to Founder and Managing Director, James Thomas, a staggering one in twenty Australian children has experienced the loss of a parent or sibling. Not surprisingly, this statistic sadly includes many local Hawkesbury families.
"Grieving children who have experienced the death of someone they love can feel isolated and alone. They require ongoing support to develop strategies to cope and move forward with their lives following a significant loss," explained Mr Thomas.
Local Hawkesbury family, the Kinders, experienced the difference Feel the Magic can make, when their older daughter Charlie attended Camp Magic, 16 months after the tragic death of her younger sister Billie in an equestrian accident.
According to her mum, Danny Kinder, Charlie felt Camp Magic was a safe space, where she could share her grief and trust people with her secrets.
"Charlie was angry, confused and struggling to find direction. At Camp Magic she really did open up and allow herself to feel, cry and let heal. As a parent, I couldn't believe it. It was incredible! For the first time, Charlie was among people that got her. She was with other grieving children, who although they all had different stories, had a common bond," explained Mrs Kinder.
Charlie's experience was so profound that she has now undertaken the training to be a Camp Magic mentor, so she could go back to help other grieving children.
Mr Thomas says there is a huge National demand for the Feel the Magic program, to support kids by giving them the tools to understand and process their grief.
"Sponsorship packages and ticketing details for Night of Magic are available at www.feelthemagic.org.au - we would love to hear from anyone in the Hawkesbury who feels they can help us to continue our work," said Mr Thomas.
Camp Magic is a grief education and support program for bereaved children and teenagers between the ages of 7-17.
Night of Magic is the annual black-tie gala fundraising dinner for Feel the Magic. This year's dinner will be hosted by Channel 9's Michael Usher and Deb Knight, with special guest speaker, well-known Australian sports journalist, Jim Wilson.
The event will take place at the Hyatt Regency Sydney.
