A SUPPORT group for bereaved parents is holding a special meeting on Monday to help grieving mums and dads through the Christmas period.

Dragonflies, based in Prestwood, is a monthly support group for parents and grandparents who have lost a child.

It was set up by mums Elaine Ball and Lorraine Hall 18 months ago, who both lost their young sons to neuroblastoma - a rare form of childhood cancer.

Elaine's son Tom died in 2003 aged 14 while Lorraine lost her 11-year-old son Jake in 2004, just six months after he was diagnosed with the disease.

Elaine said: “I know from personal experience that Christmas is a terrible time, not only for people who have lost children but anybody who has lost someone. With a child it's doubly hard.

“Everything is worse at Christmas and a lot of people find it hard. It's nice to be together and support each other.”

During the meetings parents can meet with others in the same situation and share experiences and stories. Dragonflies can also put bereaved mums and dads in touch with other support services in the area, including counselling.

The group, which is run free of charge, also provides appropriate books for parents to borrow.

“We do find that a lot of parents come that have lost children 20 years ago because 20 years ago there was nothing out there and they have kept their feelings buried,” Elaine said.

Dragonflies is for any parent who has lost a child, no matter how old they were when they died or how long it has been since they passed, Elaine added.

And although the group is sponsored by the Thomas Ball Children's Cancer Fund – the charity Elaine's son set up before he died – it is for all parents, not just those who have lost a child to cancer.

She said: “People are expected to get over it but a parent never, ever gets over the death of a child.

“You need a place where you can go and I think Dragonflies is that place.”

The December meeting of the group takes place on Monday at Holy Trinity Church Cottage in Wycombe Road, Prestwood from 7.30pm – 9.30pm.

For more information contact Elaine on 01494 890157 or email tomballcharity@aol.com

The Thomas Ball Children's Cancer Fund will be holding charity collection in High Wycombe tomorrow. Look out for volunteers in the High Street and inside the Eden and Chilterns shopping centres.