Local Milton Keynes charity Harry's Rainbow celebrates fifth anniversary

The star-studded event brought together the charity founders and trustee’s to commemorate five years of bereavement services.

The charity works with and provides opportunities to bereaved children to improve their conditions of life after losing a loved one.

Harry’s Rainbow was founded by parents Odette and Lee Mould after losing their son Harry when he was just five-years-old.

The family, who were suffering the loss of a child, also found it difficult to find the bereavement help and support they needed for Harry’s twin sister Jessica.

Harry’s mum Odette, said: “There wasn’t really anywhere locally that we could turn to.

“So in October 2011, Harry’s legacy, ‘Harry’s Rainbow’ was born.

“Harry’s Rainbow is committed to supporting bereaved children and their families in the Milton Keynes and surrounding areas.

“We know intimately the feelings of loss, pain, anger and grief, and the sheer devastation to our lives caused when such a tragedy occurs.”

The evening celebrated all that has been achieved by the charity in just five years.

The most successful fundraiser for Harry’s Rainbow is ‘Harry’s Rainbow Runners’ who promote the charity to raise both awareness and funds.

The runners take part in marathon’s and half marathon’s across Milton Keynes and have even set up their own annual event, Jessica’s Rainbow Run.

In just five years, the runners and other fundraisers including bag packing, sponsored sky diving and many more have raised £225,000 for the bereavement service.

The evening saw 140 guests attend and stuck to the rainbow theme, and guests were assigned a colour to wear ranging from green, indigo, violet, red, orange and yellow to match their table decorations.

A function room was booked at the Hilton Hotel for the event and decorated with coloured balloons and lights creating a warm glow awaiting an evening full of surprises.

Hosted by the wonderful Lincoln Noel, who was joined by Alan Savage and Alan Prosser to form an incredibly talented Jazz Trio.

Guests were also treated to a live and silent auction, a raffle and three course meal.

Special guest Brooke Layla performed a cover of ‘You’re My World’ by Cilla Black, and never did lyrics run as true as when this phenomenal 12-year-old school girl sang in memory of her friend, Harry.

The room went silent as she took to the stage, backed up by the Jazz Trio, Brooke poured her heart into the performance and there was not a dry eye in the room.

This very special performance was followed by a live auction, filled with donated lots which included a double gold CD display of Adele album’s 21 and 19, a £50 tattoo voucher for the Rising Phoenix Tattoo Studio and a ‘Pop Star’ children’s party package, donated by Pop Story.

The mayor of Milton Keynes Steve Coventry and Mayoress Liane Lacey also attended the ball and presented prizes to the most dedicated fundraisers branded ‘champions’, as picked by Odette and Lee themselves.

This included an 8-year-old school girl, Rebecca, who has donated her bithday presents for the last two years to the charity.

Harry’s Rainbow has supported 138 bereaved children and their families, 76 families are currently registered for their services, organisers have visited over 60 schools in the area and facilitated over 50 rainbow groups and trips, they have hosted 46 holiday breaks for those families who ‘need to get away’ benefitting 94 children.

The evening raised over £4,000 for the charity.

If you are interested in donating to Harry’s Rainbow or want to find more information about the charity, visit: www.harrysrainbow.co.uk