'I’m grieving too but with no support' - Your Letters: January 16

The love of my life passed away peacefully with family around him in November last year. We lived together for 27 years.

If it was not for family I would have not known what to do.

I am writing this letter because I applied for Bereavement Support Payment. I filled the online questionnaire in and was refused because I was not married and have no children.

I disagree with this, if they payout for couples of mixed marriages but not partners.

I have paid my taxes and National Insurance for over 35 years, and due to ill health I finished work.

My point is I’m grieving too but with no support. It's not about the money, it’s the principle of this.

Everyone who grieves for a loved one should have some kind of support.

Because I chose not to get married and I could not conceive and have children I am disqualified from any payment from the bereavement support fund.

This should be raised to a higher level and everyone who loses a loved one should get support.

A certificate of marriage or no certificate does not mean you don't truly love someone. I did not need a certificate to show how much I love and miss him every day, he is the love of my life.

Name and address supplied

THANK-YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

On behalf of the Rotary Club of Wednesbury, can I give a massive thank you to everyone in our town who supported and contributed to us, during the 17 nights we were travelling around virtually every street and road in Wednesbury, with our Father Christmas Sleigh. The total monies collected amounted to the magnificent sum of £12,477.55.

In addition, we distributed thousands of lollies to the children, as we toured around.

Since it first started in 1975, our sleigh has been out and around virtually every year since, during the festive season, and the way it continues to get such a warm, welcoming, and brilliant response, makes all our efforts, to spread Christmas joy, so worthwhile.

A huge thank you has to be given to the groups who assisted us on different nights, thus enabling us to complete this marathon project – all will be receiving donations from the club in the near future. Despite the current difficult economic climate, this did not prevent the people of Wednesbury from entering into the spirit of Christmas and, once again, showing their wonderful generosity. Thank you all.

Warner, Rotary Club of Wednesbury

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