THE parents of a six-year-old girl killed in a road crash in Co Down have spoke of their hope that a special bereavement room set up in her memory will help children who have lost loved ones.
Martin and Susan Trainor from Hilltown had vowed to give back to those who have helped them cope with their devastating loss of their daughter Ella following her death in January 2016.
Now in a "wonderful dedication" to the little girl, 'Ella's room' has been set up in the Cruse bereavement offices in Newry and features a mural in honour some of the things she enjoyed in life.
The family hope the room will "help kids to cope with bereavement".
The family have been buoyed by the support of family, friends, GAA and the local community in raising almost £40,000 for Cruse bereavement care funds in Ella's memory, with some of the money used towards the room.
"This room will be in memory of our Ella," said Mr Trainor.
"It includes a play area, books and somewhere that kids can sit and chat about what they are experiencing.
"It also includes the most wonderful mural in honour of some the things that Ella was about, her littlest pet shop toys, her fairy door and her pet dog Barney all feature in the brilliant tribute to her.
"This is the result of much hard work by 'Ella’s Army' - a group of about 60 friends and family who have worked tirelessly to raise funds and have been there for us when help was much needed.
"The Hilltown 10k and fun run committee, Hilltown vintage and Classic Club and Murdock Builders Merchants organised and sponsored events throughout the last 18months, which also raised much needed funds.
"It also will play a massive part of coping and recovery for kids of Ella's age who encounter bereavement and hopefully make the task a bit easier for the wonderful bereavement support volunteers of Cruse."
Mr Trainor said while they have been left "heartbroken and lost" following Ella's tragic death, they "could not have even began our grieving process without the help from Cruse Bereavement Care".
In Northern Ireland there are around 15,000 deaths every year and in 2015 to 2016 alone, Cruse provided face-to-face bereavement support to around 3,000 people.
A Cruse spokeswoman said they "provide support to children, young people and adults when someone dies due to the generosity of the local community".
