Thank you for taking the time to visit my 40th birthday fundraiser JustGiving page, for Cruse Bereavement Care Tees Valley and Durham area.

I am fundraising for Cruse Bereavement Care in tribute to my grandmothers, Ann and Sylvia. I never met Ann: she was a historian and poet, who died when she was 39, on 7th June 1963. I will be turning 40 on 8th June, and share Ann's love of poetry.

I also share my grandmother Sylvia's love of social action and volunteering: Sylvia volunteered for her local branch of Cruse for many years, until her death in 1997.

Cruse volunteers continue to support bereaved people with empathy, skill and creativity. They support all people, regardless of how long ago their loved one died, or how they died. Their service is always free to access.

Thank you for your donation to this essential service.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.