A CHARITY set up in memory of a 13-year-old Bewdley girl who died in a road crash needs new volunteers to help support bereaved children.

The Bramble's Trust wants people to work with children and their families two or more weekends a year at residential camps held at the Frank Chapman Centre in Ribbesford.

It was founded in 1998 by Steve and Liz Fitzgerald, whose daughter Claire died in the tragic M40 minibus crash of 1993.

In all 12 youngsters and a teacher from Hagley High School lost their lives when their minibus ploughed into a stationary lorry on the M40 as they travelled back from London.

The trust aims to help young people deal with the death of a close family member.

Director of family services Clare Stallard said: "We have just celebrated Bramble's' birthday, and everyone who came along had great fun as well as being helped to look at things which are very difficult even for us adults.

"Volunteers do not work as counsellors - they help the young people in a whole range of activities, both looking at their feelings after they have been bereaved and having fun too."

About a fifth of the trust's referrals come from Wyre Forest with the remainder from Redditch, Bromsgrove, Dudley, Shropshire and other areas.

The Fitzgeralds' inspiration for the trust was the Winston's Wish programme launched at Gloucestershire Royal Infirmary in 1992, a bereavement support organisation which helped their younger daughter Sarah after her sister was killed.

Training for volunteers will be carried out in Redditch later this month and early May. Prospective volunteers are subject to an interview and police check.

Anyone interested in volunteering can attend a meeting at Wribbenhall Community Centre, Shaw Hedge Road, Bewdley, on Monday from 6pm to 7pm or call the trust on 01299 402322.