A HAMPSHIRE-based bereavement support charity has launched a fundraising campaign to pay costs as it is at risk of closing.

Butterflies Bereavement Support has revealed it only has six weeks' funding left due to a lack of grants and donations to meet running costs.

Julie Lamont, Butterflies chair, said: “I can't stress enough the urgency of the situation and the impact it will have if we close. One of our clients said it all when he thanked the charity for the support he had received and said, ‘I can now live my life again'.

Hampshire Chronicle: Julie LamontJulie Lamont (Image: Butterflies Bereavement Support)

“Since COVID we've seen more and more cases of people in desperate need.  Many still feel great guilt and shame from not being able to see their loved one at the time of their death and we will see this for years to come.”

Butterflies is run by volunteers, with more than 60 people offering their services to people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

READ MORE: Charity that helps people cope with grief urges those struggling to get in touch

These include professional, qualified counsellors, trainee counsellors, buddies, group coordinators, and admin staff.

Referrals for its support come from many different organisations - the bereaved themselves, surgeries, the NHS and mental health services.

The charity launched a crowdfunding campaign on Saturday, June 1 to raise £25,000 which will allow it to keep its doors open and address the waiting list of 40 clients needing counselling.

People can contribute by visiting crowdfunder.co.uk/p/save-butterflies-bereavement-support or the Butterflies website bflies.org.uk/.

In addition to this, the charity has suggested that people could help by holding coffee mornings, BBQs, cake sales and other fundraising events.