The Tommy D Project
"When children and families are supported through the grieving process, they are more likely to accept and come to terms with the loss of a family member and be able ultimately to move on with their lives."
At Woking and Sam Beare Hospices we are seeking to build on our existing children's bereavement counselling services and initiate new activities. One such activity is the creation of a new support group in the community especially for teenagers. As some of the children we are supporting are nearing adolescence, they have told us that they have outgrown the existing Footsteps Club, but would appreciate another forum, more tailored to their age, in which to meet other teenagers who are experiencing the same emotional issues as them. This is where the Di Felice family have stepped in.
Thomas Di Felice was killed tragically in a road accident on 15th December 2009. He was 17 years old. His parents, family and friends have generously donated money to Woking and Sam Beare Hospices and the Tommy D Project was launched. Money raised through this initiative will help support the work of the children's bereavement service in general and the teenage club - known as the Tommy D Club - in particular. This project will enable our childhood bereavement team to reach more children who need our support.
The Di Felice family have rallied support from a wide network of friends and local groups and we are truly grateful for everything they are doing for Woking and Sam Beare Hospices through the Tommy D Project.
Fundraising in 2011 for the Tommy D
June 4th - Look out for the collection day in Woking Town Centre for Tommy D. We have 10 volunteers with buckets who will be collecting donations and giving out leaflets on the Tommy D Project.
June 26th - Charity BBQ in Hook Heath. raising funds for Tommy D. Call 01483 773239 for further details.
Sept 29th - Annual Tommy D Charity Golf Day at Sutton Green Golf Club with evening meal and entertainment.
Oct 22nd - Tracey Napoli will be trekking in the himalayas for Tommy D her Justgiving page is
www.justgiving.com/tracey-napoli
Good Luck Tracey!
Horses helping people
A group of young people from the Tommy D project took part in a new type of bereavement counselling when they attended a session of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) at the Silvermere Equestrian Centre in Cobham. EAP uses horses as a tool for emotional growth and learning and has been known to help in the areas of self-confidence, self-esteem, communication, relationships, problem solving, coping skills and personal responsibility. Although nervous to begin with, the participants soon began to grow in confidence. One said 'I felt really nervous and wasn't sure, but when they did what you wanted it made you feel happy'
Ursula Seiler, Bereavement Counsellor at the Hospices was really pleased with the way the session went and hopes to have the support to offer more sessions in the future.
Football fundraising
The Tommy D project took their collecting boxes along to Woking Football Club last week for the FA Cup Round 1 match against Brighton and Hove Albion, and raised a total of £1075.86. A tribute was given at the beginning of the match to Thomas who was a member of the club's youth academy.
A further £250 was presented to the project by the Woking District Rotary Club from the proceeds of their Summer Festival.
Golf Day Raises £10,000 for Tommy D Project
A terrific £10,000 was raised for the Tommy D Project at a charity golf tournament at Sutton Green Golf Club last week. A big thank you to the 27 teams who took part, to the companies who donated gifts and prizes and to the golf club for hosting the event. The Tommy D Golf Tournament will now become an annual event.
To read more about the tournament and the project see the Woking News and Mail article at http://wokingnews.wordpress.com/2010/11/05/10k-is-raised-for-hospice-in-toms-honour/
Cycle raises £2,400 for Tommy D Project!
Members of Thomas' family along with friends took part in the Free Wheel part of the recent Woking Tour Series to raise money for the project. The cyclists entered as the Rowbarge Pub team from St John's and were determined to get noticed, dressing in these striking outfits - well done all.
Jack Thompson, Keith Hills, Wendi Di Felice, Vince Belvedere, Nick di Felice and Ricky Genco