Having worked as a journalist for the last 20 or so years, it’s not often that the front page of a newspaper moves me to tears.

But I was completely shaken yesterday when I saw the photos of beautiful Christina Schmid, alone, dressed in black and carrying flowers at the funeral of her husband Olaf who was killed while defusing a bomb in Afghanistan.

It is an impressive thing for any young widow to be able to stand up and address a packed cathedral only days after her husband’s death. But to do that when you know the camera lenses of every media outfit in the country are trained on you is something else entirely.

Christina is 34 – the same age I was when Nick died. Perhaps that’s why this story more than other similar stories got to me. Perhaps it was the image of her standing on her own, yet surrounded by hundreds of other people, which resonated with me.

WAY is trying to strengthen ties with the military. I believe that even though the forces give support to men and women whose partners die in active service, and on training, there is still a need for those partners to be able to talk to others who have lost the person they love.

And many of those partners will be living in civilian accommodation, working in civilian jobs and will need more support than the army, air force or navy can offer.

Seeing Christina’s picture has strengthened my resolve to do more to build links with all service organisations.

WAY extends our deepest sympathies to Christina, their son, and all other young men and women who have been widowed in recent conflicts.

Well it’s turning out to be quite exciting on the magazine coverage front (thanks to Linsay’s unstinting efforts as our press officer).

Sarah French looks fabulous in December’s issue of SHE magazine – hope you enjoyed the makeover Sarah, you look wonderful.

She did WAY proud with a very moving interview about facing her first Christmas alone – thank you Sarah and well done.

There’s a piece about me in January’s Good Housekeeping following on from the Woman of the Year Award lunch – haven’t seen the photo myself yet so I won’t comment on that!

And there’s more to come in January – SHE again and Bella, among others – watch this space.

We were really chuffed that WAY was asked to take part in a news story on BBC breakfast on Saturday. Journalist Sarah Pennells has been investigating the way financial institutions deal with bereaved people, following the awful experience of Ingrid Facius.

Caroline was interviewed at the BBC studio in Plymouth and at an ungodly hour of the morning (6.20am!) Linsay Black went into the BBC studio in London to be interviewed on the subject.

We were trying to stress that Ingrid’s case was not a one-off individual scenario, but that a large number of our members have had trouble dealing with financial institutions, utility companies, TV companies etc after their partner died.

MP John McFall is calling for a new code of practice to ensure companies act in a more consistent and fair manner.

If you have had a difficult experience dealing with financial affairs after a bereavement, the WAY Foundation would love to hear from you, to help further this campaign. Get in touch with us at media@wayfoundation.org.uk

Linsay Black (WAY’s PR) and I spend most of our time working away at home in front of our computer screens. So it was with great excitement that we arrived in London last night for today’s Woman of the Year Awards lunch.

Linsay nominated me as a way of raising awareness of WAY among the judging panel for this event. Little did we think we’d actually be invited to the event!

But Good Housekeeping chose me to win two tickets to the lunch from among all their reader nominations, so off we went to London. And we were assured it had nothing to do with our Patron Lindsay Nicholson who wasn’t involved in judging, but who was thrilled to see WAY chosen.

We had an amazing day and met women who had done so many incredible things with their lives. It was very humbling to be in the room. And also fantastic fun – especially the celeb spotting!

We tried hard to tell as many media people as we could about WAY – radio and TV presenters and journalists, so hopefully the day will result in some more coverage of WAY and the work all our volunteers do for young widows.

When Linsay’s phone rang on Thursday she got one hell of a surprise – it was Good Housekeeping ringing to invite Caroline and her to the Woman of the Year Awards lunch!

This prestigious award is given every year and sponsored by, among others, GH magazine.

Linsay nominated Caroline as a way of drawing attention to WAY among the judging panel – most of whom will probably have never come across us before.

It was a massive surprise to be told that Caroline had been chosen by GH to attend the lunch. She’s not in the running for the award, but there will be coverage of WAY in the magazine and possibly elsewhere, which is great news.

And Linsay and Caroline are off to London to enjoy some champagne and raise the profile of WAY among some very influential women!

Last week Martin Smith managed to prise himself away from his computer where he’s been spending days sorting out member details and working on Yuku, to make a speech.

This was for the Association of Crematorium Managers and we did wonder what sort of audience they’d make!

Luckily they loved Martin and his speech went down really well.

What’s more they were very enthusiastic about WAY and the work we do.

Not many of them had heard of us, which means we still have a mountain to climb in terms of publicity. But it also shows how useful it is to go along to events like this and speak about WAY.

What’s more – they even made a generous donation to WAY funds!

Last week I was invited to attend a debate at the Victoria & Albert museum, held in memory of Laurence Stracey, whose wife Emma is a WAY member.

Emma and Laurence’s family were also there and we had a great evening in quite spectacular surroundings.

The event was hosted by Farrer & Co, a very upmarket law firm, which apparently counts the Queen among their clients…

All proceeds raised from the event will go to WAY and I’m hoping several of the people who attended will donate generously with money, time or professional expertise.

Watch this space…

Caroline

Over 40 WAY members were treated to Scotland at its best last weekend as the sun shone on a weekend in Pitlochry.

This was the third successful annual WAY weekend in Scotland and incredibly it was hot and sunny the whole time.

A good time was had by all – Saturday was spent at the Pitlochry Highland Games and down by the fish ladder & dam (stunning views), followed by a buffet.  The kids played brilliantly together, regardless of age or gender, and some of the older girls were pampered with short reflexology and crystal healing sessions offered by one of the group’s friends, who lives locally.

On Sunday, some went for a walk with one of the group who is a professional guide, so they were in capable and safe hands!  Another group headed for Killiecrankie, again in blazing sunshine, where they marvelled at the stunning scenery before having Sunday lunch outside a pub and then heading off to the fairground before making a weary way home. 

The Scotland events are a great way to meet other WAY members – whether you live north of the border or south – and are less overwhelming than our two major events at the AGM and Centerparcs. So far, the September weather hasn’t let us down so roll on next year!

Rachel Green

Six members of the Herts and Beds WAY group plus family and friends (eleven people in all) took part in the Isabel Hospice Chain Walk on Sunday September 20th, and have already raised over £1,000 in sponsorship for the hospice.

Four of the walkers have very personal connections with the hospice as it is where their partners were cared for in the last days and months of their lives – either as “outpatients” in the day hospice or as patients.  The hospice has also provided support for them and their children through counselling and social and support groups.

Liz Monnickendam, who organised the walk said: “We are pleased to be able to take part in this walk as the Isabel Hospice played such a large part in our loved ones’ final days and delighted to have raised such a fantastic sum to help the continuing work of the hospice.”

“WAY brought us together, following the deaths of our partners,” she continues, “so we were glad to be able to walk as a group in their memory and to say thank you for the support that we have received.”

Well done to all of them for walking and raising money for such a worthy cause.

WAY member Joanna Turner’s sister Amanda and her husband Nigel are taking part in the Great North Run on September 20th.

Check out their amazing fundraising page on Justgiving at www.justgiving.com/amandarockley

Helped by an inspirational message from Jo on the page, they have already raised over £3,000 – the most anyone has raised for WAY in a sponsored event, ever!!

So huge thanks to Amanda and Nigel for choosing WAY as their charity, and for Jo too… 

Hope you both have a great run!

Caroline