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On 16th April 2010 the Sim family proudly launched the inaugural
Clara Sim Memorial Trust through the Lord Mayor's Charitable
Foundation in honour of their beautiful daughter Clara.
What is the Lord Mayor's Charitable Foundation? It is a
Melbourne based body that establishes trusts to provide
a perpetual source of funding for organizations like The
Compassionate Friends to be able to continue our important
and valuable work with bereaved families. We are very thankful
and appreciative of the Sim family's initiative to nominate
Compassionate Friends as the recipients of Clara Sim Memorial
Trust.
This is a wonderful example of encompassing a wholesome
way of channeling grief and serving purpose. To the Sim
family this is a form of Clara 'living on'. Here is their
inspiring story…………….
Another phase in our grief journey
April 2010 marked the 10th Anniversary of the death of our
dear daughter Clara Sim Shi Ling. On that day we were very
pleased to announce the launch of a trust fund set up in
her memory. We have nominated The Compassionate Friends
Victoria as the beneficiary and specified that the monies
are to be used to set up a Support Fund for bereaved families.
Background
Like a lot of grieving families, we have always endeavoured
to honour the memory of Clara. Annabelle has produced countless
artworks and mementos since her Kindergarten days dedicated
to Clara. Jeffrey's countless photographic efforts and Theresa's
involvement with The Compassionate Friends Victoria (TCF)
have all been part of our grieving journey.
When TCF's research project recommended among other things
that a Support Fund be set up to support grieving families
facing economic difficulties, we felt drawn to respond.
We were fortunate not to experience financial difficulties,
but we know how hard it was to get up every day to face
work and other responsibilities in life after our child
had died My heart goes out to those who have to struggle
with financial worries and other issues on top of their
paralyzing grief. I also think that in lending a hand economically
to other bereaved parents is also an important dimension
of our self-help and mutual support motto.
As her 10th Anniversary approached, we also felt anxious
not to let it pass without some significant efforts on our
part. Everything fell into place when Anne and I visited
Sandie Baskins from the Lord Mayors Charity Foundation and
learnt more about the Trust Fund program that they operated
to encourage donations to charity organizations.
The Clara Sim Memorial Trust
I have been working since last year to set aside money to
kick start our initial contribution to her trust fund. Starting
up a trust requires a minimum of $2,000 which is affordable,
accessible and inclusive of the 'average' family. Work had
never been so meaningful before and I intend to continue
this effort. We also hope to engage our families and close
friends in building up the trust fund and Annabelle is brimming
with ideas about how we can best do this. This memorial
trust will be empowering us in our next phase in grief.
It will help us channel our grief constructively and keep
the memory of our dear Clara alive within our families and
friends.
If like the Sim family you would like to
follow their fine example and establish your own trust please
feel free to contact me anytime. I would be only too pleased
to assist you in any way I can.
To donate: Click on the
Secure Online Donation button below
and you will be taken to the Lord Mayor's Charitable
Foundation homepage. Press the
"Donate Now" button on left hand
side. It will then open up a donation page. Fill in your details
and in the Select Campaign
drop down box select “Clara
Sim Memorial Trust”
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