MANY spend Christmas surrounded by their loved ones but for those who lost young family members it can be a painful time.

Oxford charity the Grieving Parents Support Group sees calls rise from 10 to more than 100 a day over the festuive season.

It takes around £10,000 a year to keep the service going, so on Thursday the charity’s founder Mark Roberts, 69, hit Cornmarket Street to rattle collection tins and raise awareness of what the group does. He raised a total of £125.36.

Mr Roberts set it up in 2002 after his 20-month-old son Matthew passed away in a bath accident.

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It has four fully-trained volunteers who offer phone support, home visits and help with legal paperwork.

He said: “We get up to 700 calls over the Christmas period from December 23 to 28.

“It is a hard time for people because they have lost a child and it is a difficult time for them when other people are with their families. If we had a service like this when my son passed away it would have helped, it was a tough time. We need donations all year around to keep the service going so we are always open to people helping us out.”

The Oxford Mail helped raise almost £1,000 for the charity in late 2008 after publishing an appeal. He said: “A lot of people do not know we exist and are based in Cutteslowe.

“Events like today’s are very important to raise that awareness and make sure people don’t suffer without support and help over the festive period.”

If you or someone you know needs support after the loss of a child, the charity can be contacted on on 01865 556566.

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