As a mum/founder member of The Luke and Marcus I want to say how I have coped with this year of the Covid19 Pandemic. How the members (family to me now) of the group have been such a support. We have had a Wattsapp chat line where we have kept in almost daily contact. Some beautifully and funny videos forwarded, by one member in particular, who has kept us all entertained.
Over the years we have become a family – a family who know and have shared our grief We have learned to laugh together and bring forth positive memories of our children. We have visited many schools over the years where we have tried to explain to young people the dangers of drugs, the gateway drugs and how it affects their families and those who love them. We have visited mothers’ groups, church groups, government departments, magistrates and many others.
Whilst we remain a small, Yorkshire based, group we have punched above our weight and continue to do so even through the pandemic.
• Over the years it has been our policy to remember the anniversary of a greatly loved child by sending flowers to their mum, card to remember their birthdays, holding a memorial service every December at St Anne’s Cathedral in Leeds, having a communal Christmas lunch and a mid-year Retreat
This year much of this continued with the exception of service, retreat and our monthly meetings. And so the Wattsapp line was set up and has been a success in keeping us all together. I hope some of our mums would like to add their stories to this page.
We have all seen the continued devastation drugs creates in society and we continue to try to alleviate some of the suffering. This year, the monies we have saved have gone to the Homeless charities in Dewsbury, Harrogate and York (where our founding members come from) together with St Anne’s in Leeds who care for many of the homeless and destitute in that city.
We may have been shut down by Covid-19, but we have not been defeated. If there are any parents who need to talk you may still contact us, in complete confidence, when we will be happy to give support where possible.
I have to say I am proud to have met so many lovely mums, know and share their heartache, and together we have become stronger and positive.”
