00:00 Our Lost Love Years, aka Ollie, was created by Joseph, a young boy who lost his mother
00:07 to murder. His grandmother Jean runs a charity alongside families fighting for justice after
00:12 losing her sister, son and daughter.
00:17 Children who have lost a loved one from acts of violence, often these children keep it
00:29 all locked up inside. These are the forgotten victims. Children like to talk to each other
00:40 and that is what they can do in Ollie.
00:44 The charity provides children and young people with support and a range of activities designed
00:48 at helping them regain the fun in their lives and help them re-establish and make friendships
00:53 following their traumatic experiences.
00:55 As time went on we decided to take children into Ollie who haven't lost anybody through
01:02 an act of violence, homicide, culpable road death. We brought children into Ollie from
01:08 the communities where high crime exists.
01:12 This festive season the charity are asking for toy donations so they can give them out
01:16 to some 300 children who they engage with who are aged between 3 and 17.
01:23 Families are struggling as well we know. Let's bring a smile on that child's face. If you
01:33 feel you can give a gift, no matter how small, it shows someone is thinking of them and they're
01:43 not forgotten and that someone there also cares. We want to give them children a presence
01:54 so they feel and hopefully give them that little bit of confidence to know there are
02:01 others out there who care.
02:04 Donations can be dropped at their hub in Liverpool City Centre or at their charity shop in Bootle
02:09 Strand. They're welcoming gifts until Tuesday 5th December so they have time to wrap and
02:15 coordinate the drop-offs in the community to the children and young people who they
02:20 support.
02:21 I'd like to appeal and address the children who are 12, 13, 14, 15. These are sometimes
02:37 the children that people think not to donate a present to. I know a toiletry set, a set
02:48 of pyjamas, a make-up set, anything to do with your hair, sets for these children, these
03:03 teenagers.
Comments