Derbyshire teenager thanks ‘fantastic’ bereavement counsellor for help coping with death of brother

A Derbyshire teenager who appeared on TV has thanked his ‘fantastic’ bereavement counsellor for helping him live with the sudden death of his older brother.
Harvey tackles the Countryfile ramble.Harvey tackles the Countryfile ramble.
Harvey tackles the Countryfile ramble.

Harvey, 16, took part in this year’s Countryfile Ramble for BBC Children in Need, joining host Matt Baker on a six-mile challenge around the Peak District. The expedition, aired in a special Countryfile feature on Sunday, November 1, included canoeing, two challenging rock climbs and two miles of orienteering.

Harvey took part in the Ramble in memory of his older brother Ed, who died when Harvey was just ten years old. In June 2015, 17-year-old Ed was killed in a house fire that had been started deliberately by strangers.

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Harvey said that he felt robbed of his childhood when he heard of his brother’s death.

Harvey and family with counsellor Jules and Matt Baker.Harvey and family with counsellor Jules and Matt Baker.
Harvey and family with counsellor Jules and Matt Baker.

He said: “I can remember the day like it was yesterday. I was in the playroom and out came these words, your older brother’s been killed, been murdered. I can remember feeling a hot, burning pain within me.

“I’ve not had a childhood since then. I have had a life, but I’ve not had a childhood. That was taken away from me.”

Following Ed’s death, Harvey became angry and isolated, getting into scrapes at school and started to have panic attacks.

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Harvey and his family found the support they needed through local charity, Treetops Hospice Care, and he has just finished five years of bereavement counselling with counsellor Jules Kirk.

He added: “If it wasn’t for Jules, I wouldn’t be able to talk about this. It’s hard to think where I’d be without her. Nothing I could say or do would ever be able to replicate what she’s done for me, ever. She’s just fantastic.”