Our Mission
O ur mission is simple but profound: to be a beacon of support for children and families in the Canterbury region as they navigate the intricate terrain of grief. We are dedicated to equipping grieving families with the emotional tools and unwavering support needed for their journey toward healing.
At the heart of our charity lies a commitment to easing the burdens carried by grieving families. We firmly believe that every child facing loss deserves a compassionate embrace, understanding, and a clear path toward healing.
Our Why
O
n the 13th of January 2023, our lives changed forever. Our beautiful, sweet 3 year old girl, Effie, unexpectedly passed away. In the wake of this devastating loss, we encountered the profound challenge of accessing mental health support, not only for us as her parents, but her two young brothers, aged 5 and 7.
Desperately seeking help for our boys, we encountered a significant gap in available resources, with waiting lists of 6+ months, leaving us in a vulnerable state during a crucial period of grieving. We experienced firsthand the overwhelming stress that accompanies grief, especially during the darkest of times. That's why we are here to help connect families in Canterbury with the support they need, as soon as possible.
We're dedicated to connecting families with local and national service providers in a bid to help children in their time of need. Our hope is that you'll have immediate access to valuable support, information, helplines, advice and relatable stories from others to help you and your family navigate these challenging times and move forward in your journey.
Thank you for being a part of our mission. Your support allows us to turn the page on grief and write a story of resilience, love and support in Effie's memory.
Symone Hurley
Shaun Hurley
Meet Effie
O
ur little ray of sunshine that brought kindness, laughter and an enormous amount of love to everyone she met!
There wasn’t a doll she didn’t love unconditionally or a costume she wouldn’t proudly prance around in - she was all things bright and sparkly (although if it didn’t align to her exact taste, you can be sure there was no way it was getting near her!).
Effie loved to draw and create beautiful art; including some of the drawings you see throughout this website.
We quickly realised there was no better way to honour her memory than to continue to sprinkle her kindness onto others. She inspired us to create a sanctuary of healing for families navigating the challenging path of grief - and with that, the Dear Effie Charitable Trust was born.
