SCHOOLS are being urged to get baking this Valentine’s Day in aid of a charity helping bereaved children in Dorset.

Those taking part in the Echo-backed campaign ‘Bake a Cake and Support Mosaic’ are being asked to hold a cake sale on February 14 and donate the funds to Mosaic to help its work with bereaved children, young people and their families across the county.

Margaret Hannibal, the charity’s director of operations, said: “We are asking Dorset schools to support us as they are often our first point of contact when we receive a referral of a bereaved child.

“We are also able to support the school with advice and training in such an emotive area.

“Much of the support we offer to children also takes place in school and so staff get used to seeing Mosaic coming in and out, although they will not necessarily know the full level of support we provide to both the child and the family as a whole.”

As well as individual and family bereavement support, Mosaic organises twice yearly residential camp weekends at Leeson House in Swanage, where children are invited to try new challenges and activities, meet new friends who have also experienced bereavement, remember the special person who has died and understand it is still okay to have fun.

Katie Hensman, Mosaic administrator, said: “We have chosen Thursday February 14, a day that we all like to think of the people who are special to us in our own lives.

“It can be a difficult day for some children and it will mean a lot to show that other children, parents and staff are doing something positive for Mosaic to support them.”

Mosaic only currently receives statutory funding for the bereavement support it provides to individual children and their families, all other money, including that for the residential weekends and general running costs, is generated through fundraising.

For more information email katie@mosaicfamilysupport.org or call 01258 837071.