BEREAVED parents could receive support from a new charity which is being launched to fund the cost of headstones.

Friends Pauline Parsons and Sandra Owen are raising money to launch Tyler’s Love, a charity which will cover some of the costs of headstones for families who have lost a child aged from birth to four-yearsold.

The charity is thought to be the first of its kind in the UK.

Ms Parsons, of Larch Road, Leigh, and Mrs Owen, of Everest Road, Atherton, were driven to help families after hearing about parents Catharine and Craig Wilkinson, from Atherton, whose son Tyler was stillborn at Wigan Hospital on June 26.

Ms Parsons said: “It opened our eyes to not only the emotional heartache of losing a child, but also the financial strain on the family.

“Even though Tyler never took a breath, he gave us the inspiration to set up our charity.

“The average cost of an appropriate headstone is £1,200 and for a low-budget family this is a daunting amount and another emotional worry.

“We want to be in a situation to offer help to these people at this sad time.”

She added: “I was shocked about the cost of headstones.

We want to help people with at least 50 per cent of the costs.

“Mr and Mrs Wilkinson are quite touched that we are doing this. We wanted to do something because you never know if you are going to be in that situation.

“It is not something you want to be thinking of. A child should bury you, parents shouldn’t have to bury a child.”

Mrs Parson’s son Curtis, aged 13, recently raised more than £200 for Tyler’s Love by walking on stilts from Leigh to Atherton Parish Church while dressed as a whoopie cushion.

The friends plan to help people in the Bolton area initially then hope to expand its services to cater for families across the UK.

An auction night will take place on Saturday to boost funds for Tyler’s Love at Leigh Miners Welfare Sports & Social Club in Twist Lane, Leigh, from 7pm.

For tickets or more information, Contact Ms Parsons on 07772 946345