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New CEO puts her best foot forward for charity for bereaved children

   |   13th September 2011

Fiona Talwar-Lomberg is getting her walking boots on ready to embark on her first challenge as Winston’s Wish new Chief Executive. Fiona, who took on the role on 1st September, will be joining over 200 people at the Gloucestershire Sunrise Walk at Cheltenham Racecourse this Saturday, 17th September.

“The Sunrise Walks are our flagship events so I’m looking forward to joining our supporters and putting my best foot forward to raise money to support the many bereaved families Winston’s Wish help each year” said Fiona.

Fiona took over the role as Chief Executive having been Head of Finance at the charity since August 2010. Her career started in independent retail and she went on to join the NHS graduate training scheme, which allowed her to professionally qualify as an accountant. This experience bought her various roles on a consultancy basis including improving business performance, Governance and organisational development.

Having been bought up in Gloucestershire in a large extended family Fiona has strong family values and many personal reasons for working at Winston’s Wish. She knows first hand how bereavement affects the family and is aware of the value child bereavement services have. “My mum always used to say to me that “children are the future” and I believe that through the work we do at Winston’s Wish we will be able to ensure that bereaved children and young people are able to lead positive lives. My values reflect those of the charity’s and I am looking forward to sustaining and developing our position as the leading charity for childhood bereavement” commented Fiona.

“It’s exciting to take over this role as we approach our 20th anniversary year and I plan to lead the continued expansion of our pioneering services and to build on our previous successes. With so many passionate staff and volunteers who are committed to such a highly valued and well-respected organisation, I feel proud and privileged to be leading Winston’s Wish into our next chapter” Fiona said.

Speaking about the appointment of Fiona, Paul Winter, Chair of Trustees for Winston’s Wish said “Each year Winston’s Wish helps 30,000 bereaved children, young people and their families to rebuild their lives after a bereavement. We are delighted that Fiona will assist the charity in its period of growth and enable us to support more children and families when they need support the most”.

Fiona is married with one daughter and lives in Stroud, Gloucestershire. She attended Ribston Hall High School and went on to study Economics and Politics at the University of the West of England, Bristol.

ENDS

For further information on Winston’s Wish or Fiona please contact Susie Gallagher, Marketing Communications Manager on 01242 515157 or sgallagher@winstonswish.org.uk

Notes to Editor:

There is still time to sign up to the Sunrise Walk at Cheltenham Racecourse on Saturday 17 September. Please visit www.sunrisewalk.co.uk to sign up or call 01242 515157 for more information.

• Every 22 minutes a child in Britain is bereaved of a parent – this equates to over 24,000 newly bereaved children every year

Winston’s Wish:

• is the leading childhood bereavement charity in the UK

• offers the widest range of practical support and guidance on bereavement to children, their families and professionals

• provides professional therapeutic help in individual, group and residential settings, and via a national helpline, interactive website and publications

• is the only specialist provider of support for children bereaved through murder, manslaughter or suicide

• depends almost entirely on voluntary donations for its income

Independent research and our 19 years’ experience shows:

• The death of a parent or sibling is one of the most fundamental losses a child will ever face.

• If childhood grief is not dealt with appropriately it can have a lasting effect on the child’s emotional well-being and lead to a variety of short and long term problems.

• The right support at the right time can enable bereaved young people to live with their grief and build positive futures.

Further information can be found on our website www.winstonswish.org.uk

The Winston’s Wish Helpline, staffed by qualified clinical practitioners, provides guidance and information for anyone supporting a bereaved child. 08452 030405, 9am-5pm Monday - Friday.