3 minute read
CRY Tribute for Alan Cousins
Alan Cousins was a CRY supporter and Representative since the death of his son, Bruce Cousins in 2009. Alan and his wife, Jackie have raised incredible awareness of CRY’s work and funds for the screening programme in memory of Bruce, as well as representing the charity in South Yorkshire. We are thankful to Jackie Cousins for writing a tribute to Alan.
I remember the first time I heard of CRY - shortly after the sudden death of our son in 2009 I saw the advertisment in the mail. This was the first time I realised we weren’t alone in experiencing the devastating effect of such a death on a family.
I emailed CRY who responded immediately and we were invited to a bereavement support day where we met people who were trying to cope and understand the trauma of such a sudden unexpected loss. I will never forget the atmosphere in the room, how could we come to terms with what had happened to our young love one. CRY are keen to help with bereavement when they can, in fact, Alison prioritised it and called me on a number of occassions in the months after Bruce’s death. And so began our association with CRY, firstly supporting core funding, and then feeling able to ring-fence funds for our screening events in our local area.
We are proud to participate in sharing CRY’s aims and message “up north” and I am pleased to say our area is now well represented.
Alan and I enjoyed the Volunteers Day held annually in Sutton, where we are able to put faces to names, especially Alison, Steve, and other members of the team we had spoken with.
I mentioned in Alan’s eulogy, as a family, indeed as a community, we are proud of our acheivements in trying to reduce the number of young deaths each week. After all the ‘friend of Bruce Cousins Memorial Fund’ is Bruce’s legacy.
Alan and I are proud of the way CRY weathered the storm of the pandemic - no easy task. Thank you to CRY for helping us and only being one small phone call away. Alan wore his wrist band to the end of his life - perhaps he saw it as a connection to his son.
I cannot end without mentioning our connection to Sheffield United Football Club where Bruce’s ashes are as close to his season ticket seat as we could get them. We recently helped the Community Manager with his own family tragedy, and I gave a talk about CRY for their foundation. Alan enjoyed his visits to Bramall Lane and I now am particularly pleased he was about to be part of it.
I will continue to raise funds until I am no longer able, and I look back with pride and affection for this charity and the work we have done.
Jackie Cousins
