MORE bereaved families are set to get financial help following the expansion of a Huddersfield charity.
The Joseph Salmon Trust, based in Marsh, will now support people in Calderdale, as well as Huddersfield and Mirfield.
The charity helps families who have lost children pay for funeral and related costs.
Founders Neil and Rachael Salmon have appealed for extra backing from the public as they anticipate a surge in demand.
Neil, 34, said: “We always had in mind to expand into Halifax, because the NHS trust covers Huddersfield and Calderdale and it makes sense for us to help people across the whole area.
“But moving into an area as big as Halifax, as well as Huddersfield and Mirfield, is going to be a big drain on our resources, so we desperately need people to continue to support us.”
The couple set up the trust following the death of their three-year-old son, Joseph, from pneumonia in 2005.
Since the charity was registered in 2008, it has helped 30 families, paying out an average of £2,500 to each.
The charity is also looking for a corporate sponsor, following the end of a partnership with retailer TK Maxx.
Neil said: “We try to make sure that any money we are given goes towards helping people – not on admin costs.
“So far we haven’t had to take money from people’s donations to cover our running costs and we aim never to have to do that, but if it gets to a point where we are struggling we might have to.”
Businesses interested in sponsorship, or anyone who wants more information about the charity, should visit www.thejosephsalmontrust.org.uk
