The mother of an 11-year-old boy who died after being run over by a speeding pensioner in Orpington is launching a charity to help support families through bereavement.

Josh Osborne was struck down as he crossed Court Road in April 2019 by unlicensed 75-year-old David Lockyer, who was jailed last year. 

The football and boxing loving youngster died days later at The Royal London Hospital, leaving his mother Victoria Battman utterly bereft and unsure where to turn.

Speaking on what would have been Josh’s 14th birthday, Victoria, 37, told News Shopper: “When we left hospital, we were just given a bag of books with contact numbers for so many different services.

News Shopper: A plaque commemorating Josh's life (Victoria Battman)A plaque commemorating Josh's life (Victoria Battman)

“I found I was ringing through those, having to explain what you've been through again and again, only then to be put on waiting list for support. We are still waiting for support to be honest.

“There’s nothing for families once you leave hospital. The support we received inside the Royal Hospital was amazing, but once we left, we felt completely alone.

“I just don’t want other families to experience that.” 

Victoria is now launching the Joshy’s Heart of Gold charity, which she hopes can help provide the support her family lacked.

The charity hopes to supply bereavement nurses, specialists in offering emotional and practical care to families in the aftermath of a loved one’s death, to as many hospitals as possible across the country.

Victoria added: "When the family leave hospital the nurse can maintain their contact through telephone or video link.

"They can also be a point of contact to contact other services on the family's behalf, to save them from so much shock and trauma. It relieves the pressure on family."

A previous fundraising effort by the family helped The Royal London Hospital employ a bereavement nurse, an outcome Victoria hopes can be achieved elsewhere.

Bereavement support is offered by a a range of charities, in person and online, by volunteers who may have backgrounds in counselling or therapy.

Families often face long waiting lists in access their services, an issue that has only been exacerbated by the pandemic, according to research by Cardiff University’s Marie Curie Palliative Care Research Centre.

Joshy's Heart of Gold has scheduled its first fundraising events, which include a fitness class on January 29 and family fun run on April 22.

You can view the charity's website here.

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