Home   Deal   News   Article

Bereaved mum Tracy Squire from St Margaret’s near Deal training to become Compassionate Friend

The mother of a teenage cyclist killed in a crash is training to help other bereaved families come to terms with their loss.

Tracy Squire completed her first training session with The Compassionate Friends in London, on Thursday.

The St Margaret’s resident said the charity was a saviour to her after the death of her son Daniel, 18, in 2013.

Scroll down for audio

Tracy Squire endorses the Mercury's campaign, Why Risk It?
Tracy Squire endorses the Mercury's campaign, Why Risk It?

It provides many kinds of support including a helpline for people who have experienced loss.

She would now like to give something back to them by joining their team of volunteers.

She said: “When your child dies, you have a sense of isolation because nobody really understands what you’re going through and I found it very, very difficult to speak to people.

“Obviously people want to help and that’s wonderful but to speak to a parent that is going through every single pain that you’re going through, just makes you feel normal.

“I got hold of The Compassionate Friends and I still remember the conversation I had with another bereaved parent who phoned me.

“She spoke openly to me about the death of her son. I remember the conversation so well and what she said about the process I will go through.

“I think this is my chance to give something back to other people like myself.”

Daniel Squire
Daniel Squire

Mrs Squire will work for their national helpline, providing a listening ear to people as well as sharing her own experiences.

She said: “Losing a child has got to be the worst scenario that any parent can go through.

“Listening to somebody is one of the greatest qualities someone can have and the course on Thursday taught me so much.”

She added: “Two years ago there was no way that I would have been ready. There’s still a bit of self doubt but now I believe that I am ready.”

Daniel was killed after a collision on the A258 at Ringwould on Saturday, September 7, 2013. He was airlifted to a London hospital but died the next day of his injuries.

His parents bravely took the decision to donate his organs, giving at least four people the chance of an improved quality of life.

Philip Sinden, who was driving a Vauxhall Vivaro that collided with Daniel’s bike was cleared of causing death by dangerous driving and the lesser charge of causing death by careless driving in March 2015.

The trial focused on whether he was on his phone in the minutes before impact after he admitted texting earlier in his journey.

Mrs Squire now campaigns against the use of mobile phones at the wheel – something she feels Daniel has directed her to.

She said: “Along with the texting and organ donation campaigns I’m doing, I do believe that this is another journey that Daniel has sent me on.

Jodie Whittaker as Beth Latimer (second on the right) in Broadchurch is seen on screens taking up a similar role
Jodie Whittaker as Beth Latimer (second on the right) in Broadchurch is seen on screens taking up a similar role

“I feel this is what I need to do. It’s a journey I feel I need to go on.”

Beth Latimer, a central character in ITV’s hit drama Broadchurch, which currently airs on Monday nights, is seen taking on a similar role to help others in need after her son was murdered.

Mrs Squire said: “I must admit when programmes come on and parents have lost their children, it’s very close to home for me and I find it difficult.

“It’s real pain. It’s not like any other pain on this planet.”

She added: “If anyone is out there and they are feeling isolated because they’ve lost a child please phone Compassionate Friends because they really are wonderful.”

Compassionate Friends can be contacted on: 0345 123 2304.

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More