Smile for Joel providing extra support this Christmas

The charity launched its Santa Smiles campaign at the beginning of December, giving toys, vouchers and other gifts to families struggling to face the festive season in the aftermath of huge emotional trauma.

The charity received more than 80 requests for help during the campaign, helping over 250 family members affected by loss.

The requests were all made through Victim Support and included a young boy who was living with his grandma after his mother was murdered.

His grandma caught Covid and later died, leaving him to be cared for by his aunt. With three children already, finances were stretched to breaking point, so Smile for Joel stepped in to help with presents for all the family.

Another request came to help a young man whose sister had gone missing. Two people were later charged with her murder. He was given a course of driving lessons to help build his independence.

Earlier in the month, two young boys who used to love playing with Lego with their dad were also helped. Their dad was murdered in an unprovoked attack. Smile for Joel has given them tickets to visit Legoland next year with their mum.

It is not just children who were helped. One mum who has been unable to work since her 19-year-old son was murdered was struggling to provide gifts for her younger children. She was given toy vouchers.

Smile for Joel was set up by Suzy Evans and her son Owen, from Wednesbury, after three family members were killed in the 2015 terror attack in Tunisia.

Suzy lost her son Joel, 19, brother Adrian Evans, and father Patrick Evans in the attack. Owen, just 16 at the time, was in Tunisia with his brother, uncle and grandad, but survived.

Together, they set up Smile for Joel with the aim of supporting families shattered after traumatic bereavement. They help families throughout the year, but the Santa Smiles campaign focused specifically on the Christmas period.

Suzy said: “These families have gone through unimaginable trauma and their stories are heartbreaking.

“We wanted to help as many people as possible and offer them a little extra support at a time of the year which can often bring heightened emotions and extra financial pressure."

Suzy said the number of cases referred to the charity trebled during December and around £24,000 was spent on gifts as part of the Santa Smiles campaign.

She added that although fundraising income for 2020 had dropped by around £50,000 amid Covid-19, the charity was looking forward to a successful 2021, with a host of events already lined up.

The Jump for Joel parachute jump is scheduled to take place July 3 and Run for Joel will be held in September.

Anyone who wants to sign up for an event, make a donation, sponsor a smile or organise a fundraiser should email info@smileforjoel.com

For more details, visit smileforjoel.com