A group which helps bereaved children deal with their grief has celebrated its first anniversary.

Sam’s Angels was launched last year by Ardrossan grandmother Babs Henry in memory of her late daughter Samantha. Babs started the group after finding little bereavement support for her granddaughter Paige following Samantha’s death.

Sam’s Angels, which provides professional therapy to bereaved children, last week held an anniversary party in the Whitlees Centre. Group members and their families enjoyed a birthday cake, food and games.

There was also a cheque presentation from Ayrshire musician Mark Findlay, who had raised £600 for the group through the sale of CDs.

Babs said she was overwhelmed at the positive changes she has seen in the group’s children over the last year: “I think it’s brought piece of mind that the kids are getting the help that they need.

“I can’t describe in words the difference from when the kids started to now. I think they’re getting to the stage that they can understand it [death] more. For them, one minute gran or grandpa’s there, the next they’re not. It’s different for us [adults] who can process it more but to them it’s a big void in their lives that they don’t understand.”