Alex and Karen’s Story

Karen and Alex’s family story was brought to us through Embrace – a very special charity we are lucky enough to be partnered with to support children and families. Embrace work to support children and families who are victims of serious crime.

We learnt about Alex, only 10 years old, when his mother was murdered.

Alex’s family had leapt forward to support him, and he’d been taken into the care of his Auntie Karen alongside her other children. Despite this arrangement, grief and remembrance of this tragic event was very understandable prominent. Living close by to the area, reminders of the trauma were frequent.

We were able to offer a holiday to Alex, Karen and her children – a safe space without connections to the event and a place to bring back a sense of normality where Alex could be a child again despite these heavy circumstances.

The week after this holiday, we received a letter from Karen and Alex’s Family Liaison Officer in the police, wanting to thank The Principle Trust personally! They were in regular contact with the family and had witnessed noticeable improvement in Alex. The family had felt sceptical about enjoying a holiday despite the horrific event, but they felt it was just what they needed to connect as a family and take a first step in the right direction.

The holiday brought the family together, and this short and well needed break showed Alex that, despite the circumstances, he had Karen and her children to support him – and it was okay to have fun and enjoyment again. It was comforting to hear he’d had what the extended family referred to as ‘the time of his life’.

Spending this valuable week together was a safe space away from this tragic event, and a place to come together and share precious time smiling once more.