About The Fund
In the pain-filled months following Moira's death, as they awaited the trial of the killer, Moira’s family were bewildered, stunned and grieving terribly. They struggled on, each trying to help the other and they had wonderful support from family and friends. They did come to realise that they had resources enough to make some choices even though they could no longer go to work. They knew they had no control over the most important things in life but could afford to organise Moira’s Funeral, travel to the Memorial service, have a day or two away from home individually or together.
They became aware that many, in similar circumstances, would not have these resources and so could not make any choices, would struggle financially as well as emotionally. Statutory organisations and traumatic bereavement charities do wonderful work and help victims in practical and emotional ways. However, their funds are finite and restricted meaning victims sometimes may not get all the help they need and so suffer added distress.
Moira’s family received many beautiful letters after her death and her many friends spoke of her helpfulness and caring, her non-judgemental nature and help with all sorts of problems. The family put this together with the gaps they felt there were in the help systems available and decided that it would be very fitting to set up a grant-making charity in Moira’s name, The Moira Fund, so that those working with distressed families could provide for some of the those needs which would not otherwise be addressed. Working in partnership with other agencies The Moira Fund can provide the extra assistance that is not available elsewhere.
The Moira Fund makes grants to individuals referred through official organisations, the Police and Victim Support, and to those charities which care for families who have lost a loved one through murder or manslaughter.
The Moira Fund is wholly dependent on unpaid volunteers and fund-raising. The running costs are very low and any donation made will be used, almost entirely, to help those distressed through homicide.
People have been helped through The Moira Fund
People have joined in on Moira’s Run since it began
The value of grants awarded to families
How the fund has helped
Read some of the stories of how the fund has been used and continues to be a help in peoples time of bereavement
Finding a way?
It means such a lot to us to receive messages of thanks from those folks we have been able to help in some way although we do understand that not everyone can do this. *Helena, who has mobility issues, had found that photography was a way of moving forward with her grief, but had only the camera on her phone and wanted to do better, to photograph all those places of many happy times with her brother.
Dear Beatrice,
I wanted to personally thank you for your kindness, compassion and thoughtfulness demonstrated by your support to enable me to purchase my camera body, tripod and camera bag via Homicide Victim Support.
This has impacted me greatly as I am thoroughly enjoying my new found passion, photography. I also write short stories, poetry and plays and feel that my creativity is expressed through both mediums. I am so grateful that you have invested in me, and am so very thankful for your generosity and sacrifice to enable me to pursue this new avenue. I am enjoying my weekly classes and also going to my local park, riverside and marshes to capture scenes I find fascinating within the location.
I lost my brother in such a heinous, brutal and cruel way and I fear my life will never be the same without him. However, I am learning slowly to live with his loss and try recapturing the places we frequented as children and young adults while growing up together. I talk about his passing through the passion of my lens and to the best of my ability and know he would be so proud of me. When I find it difficult to verbalise how I feel emotionally, I take a series of photographs to help me express them. Doing this is helping me so much Beatrice and my hope is that this new found love of photography will only increase with time. I appreciate you so much and sincerely wanted to express my gratitude to you for supporting me through this process and part of my journey.
Thank you and may the LORD God bless you and keep you, may his face shine upon you and be gracious to you and give you peace. May you know his comfort through your journey and may you encounter his mercy, love, grace and peace!
With sincere gratitude and love.
*NAME CHANGED
It’s Panto Season
In total, 62 children and 46 adults from Glasgow, Aberdeen, Edinburgh, & Dundee will have a lovely trip to the panto this year as well as providing funds towards the adults and children for food and transport costs.
A Tree to Remember
When 88-year old widow, M... lost her daughter to violence, she asked for little. She wanted a little cherry tree in her daughter's name, one which all her family and grandchildren could visit, one which she could tend and watch flower and grow from her window. That wish was soon granted.
A Better Sleep
Soon after the devastating death of his son, G and his partner, the stepmum, separated and G moved into an empty flat. He was sleeping on the floor and struggling to cope.. We were pleased we could provide a bed and bedding to help him on his with his very difficult journey.
Far Distance from Home
When P,s partner was murdered he was buried where his parents were, a far distance from home. We paid for travel and accommodation for P and their 3 children to visit his grave for the first time on the anniversary of his death. This meant a huge lot to them.
A New Cooker
J.., a single mother of 2 lost her brother in dreadful circumstances and lost a sister.She was struggling to cope and then her cooker broke down ans was deemed unfixable. She was using a camping stove. When she heard we would pay for a new cooker she cried with relief.
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