A FUNERAL directer has set up a bereavement support group in memory of her “wonderful” nephew.

Jo Tolley lost her nephew Max Roberts from Pershore in August when he died suddenly of a pulmonary embolism.

She has set up a group for people who have experienced the pain of losing a loved one.

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Mrs Tolley, from Pershore said: “I was doing a funeral and saw an air ambulance over head. I got a phone call from my sister and she said ‘it’s Max.’ He died unexpectedly with all of us there. I looked after him for his for his funeral. After seeing how my sister was we decided to set up a bereavement group. Max was only 30 and he’s got a little one year old boy. It just completely turned all of our lives upside down. Seeing how lost my sister and brother in law and their other children were, it just completely threw us.” Mrs Tolley, of E Hill and Son, who ran the London Marathon for a children’s charity last year said:

“Doing my job, helping families which is a privilege, I see how hurt they are, but when it’s my own it’s completely different. You suddenly realise what these families are going through.” The mum of two said: “My sister has a big family and we all sit and talk but I don’t think she really opens up because it’s family. I think people feel like they are putting it on you when it’s their own family, and we don’t know what to say to her. But when she’s at the group, they are all in the same situation and they can all open up and talk.”

“With my brother in law Chris, he speaks more in bereavement group than I have heard him talk before.” Mrs Tolley who has set up the group with colleague Pip Challenger said: “It’s not just for people who have lost children, it’s for anyone. We have a lovely lady who lost her husband, and there is a couple who lost their son, who took his own life. People can come and just have a chat.” Ms Challenger who has set up the group with Mrs Tolley has worked with St Richard’s Hospice. Mrs Tolley said: “People really like talking to her. She has a very calm way with people.” The bereavement support group meets every two weeks on a Tuesday night at 7pm at The Angel Inn, Pershore. The group is held in a private function room and the next meeting is March 10. They are planning an activity day and a charity football match in Pershore to raise money for Midlands Air Ambulance in football fan Max’s memory.