A CROSS Hills company has pledged its support to a bereavement organisation.

Airedale Chemical aims to raise £5,000 for the Sunbeam Support Group.

A series of fundraising activities will be staged, beginning with a golf day later this summer.

The Sunbeam Support Group was formed by midwives at Airedale Hospital, Steeton, and parents.

It offers ongoing support following the loss of a baby – through monthly meetings, bereavement resources, events and a garden project, based in the hospital grounds.

Airedale Chemical managing director, Chris Chadwick, said: “We have known about the Sunbeam Support Group since it began three years ago and are over the moon to be able to help such an incredibly important organisation, which brings invaluable support to people when they need it most.

“We plan on raising as much money as possible this year for the group to make a huge difference to the services it can offer people.”

Grace Detoeuf, who helped set-up the group following the loss of her son Louis, pays tribute to the firm.

She added: “Since setting-up the Sunbeam Support Group in 2016 we have been reliant on donations, fundraising activities and support from businesses.

“We aim to provide a space for anyone who has lost a baby during pregnancy or shortly after birth to talk to other grieving parents or midwives from the Airedale Hospital bereavement team.

“For Airedale Chemical to have chosen us to benefit from its fundraising activities will make a huge difference and mean we can continue to support parents and families through the worst time of their lives.”

The group meets at the Sunbeam Garden Room in the grounds of Airedale Hospital on the last Thursday of each month, from 6.30pm.

As well as providing a ‘welcoming space’ for parents who have experienced the loss of a baby or young child, the group gives people the chance to meet other families grieving for a child and to talk openly about their feelings. There is also a wide range of resources including a lending library.

Airedale Chemical was founded in 1973 and has been based in Cross Hills for 20 years.

It provides chemicals and contract manufacturing to markets including manufacturing, dairy, recycling and waste management.