A Tesco store director whose family appeared in a documentary with Rio Ferdinand after his wife died has helped charity volunteers with kind donations.

Jez Butwell, who oversees Tesco stores across Buckinghamshire, has been a supporter of Loudwater charity Child Bereavement since his wife Ruth passed away in 2010.

He and his five daughters received support, care and advice from the charity at that time, and he has always been passionate about helping the volunteers in their work.

To make sure the Child Bereavement UK volunteers were fed and hydrated while raising funds for the charity during the series of Let’s Rock fundraising events, Tesco donated a selection of bottled water and food.

Jez’s daughters also appeared in the BAFTA-winning BBC documentary Rio Ferdinand: Being Mum and Dad, which featured Child Bereavement UK giving the former Manchester United footballer advice on how to talk to his own children after the death of their mother, Rebecca, in 2015.

Jez said: “I used the charity when my wife died. The interactive element of the therapy was amazing for us. The children were there with me. Ninety percent of people in the group were there because a parent had died.

“The children created pictures about the person who’d died and they talked about how it had affected them. It definitely helps to be among others rather than feel you’re the only one to feel that way.

“It was incredibly beneficial. They are very caring people. It was quite a long process but it worked for me. They are just such a great charity.

“After they’d helped us, I did some volunteering for them at a music festival. All the volunteers had refreshments but they’d had to buy them. I said I could provide them for free via Tesco.

“Each year I provide refreshments and snacks for the volunteers, who give up their time for free to raise awareness and funds. I was really keen that they had something rather than them having to pay for it. The work they do helps so many people.”

The touring festival has taken in locations such as Buckinghamshire, Liverpool, Southampton, Scotland, Exeter and Leeds.

Ruth Sanger, Community Fundraising Manager at Child Bereavement UK, said: “We are so grateful to Jez and Tesco for the help they give us each year. Our fundraising is essential to helping us support as many people as we can each year.

“The pandemic has had a profound impact on bereaved families, and we expect our services will be needed not just now, but far into the future.”