AN INVALUABLE resource which helps bereaved children come to terms with the loss of close loved ones has been given a boost by staff from Amazon in Gourock.

Ardgowan Hospice's Butterfly Project has taken delivery of an array of books and other materials which are focused on helping young people of varying ages make sense of tragedies in their lives.

Janice Lee, who runs the project, says the donation will make a big impact.

She said: "These books are so important for children and it is wonderful to have Amazon helping us in this way."

The Butterfly service, which has been running for 11 years, provides support to children and young people who have a family member who has been diagnosed with a life-limiting illness, or if they have been bereaved.

Support is also offered to the wider family to help them to support youngsters at such a challenging time.

Amazon community champion Gillian Maxwell said: "We've had an association with the hospice for a number of years.

"The Butterfly Project does superb work, and we have been more than happy to help."

The company also operates two further facilities for the hospice — a wish list which allows customers to buy something for Ardgowan alongside their personal purchases, and 'Amazon Smile' which gives the a financial percentage from items bought to the charity.

Hospice fundraising officer Elaine McNeill said: "For the last few years Amazon has been a big supporter of us, particularly Gillian.

"We're well aware that we can't always get things for free, but Gillian was blown away by what Janice does with the kids and Amazon's help is greatly appreciated by all of us.

"The Butterfly project really makes a difference to people's lives."

The service's worth was highlighted at the hospice charity ball in March when 14-year-old Jessica Henderson spoke movingly about the loss of her grandad Robert Blair.

She told how the project helped her come to terms with her emotions before reading a poem at her granda’s funeral.

Jessica said: "It felt great doing my part for him and the rest of the family.

"I would never have been able to cope without the help of Janice at the Butterfly Service."

You can help the hospice wish list by logging on to www.amazon.co.uk/gp/registry/wishlist/1E4RPIAYHN5IS