The 50th Anniversary
Golden Jubilee Celebrations Crowned with a Royal Reception

A Golden Jubilee is cause for celebration for any organisation, but for Cruse Bereavement Care the charity’s 50th anniversary took on a particularly special significance with a royal reception hosted by Her Majesty The Queen on Thursday 8th October at St James’s Palace, London.

Her Majesty has been Royal Patron of Cruse since the Silver Jubilee in 1984. Debbie Kerslake, Chief Executive of Cruse, feels that the presence of The Queen in celebrating the Golden Jubilee is a real testimony to the value of Cruse’s work.

“This is a huge honour for Cruse as it recognises our progress since we began 50 years ago. Someone suffering grief can feel isolated and overwhelmed, which is where the support of Cruse can prove a real lifeline, giving them the strength to carry on and find meaning in their life again.

"Our 50th anniversary is a marvellous landmark, but we are always looking to the future and to the ways we can enhance the support and help we offer people at what is often the most distressing and traumatic period in their lives.”

Since 1959 it is estimated that Cruse has helped well over a million people who have experienced the anguish of losing a loved one. Last year alone, nearly 100,000 people contacted Cruse, including an increasing number of children. With nearly 6,000 volunteers Cruse, which relies on donations from the public, has developed a range of services in responding to the practical and emotional needs of bereaved people. These include face-to-face and group support, a national Helpline and an innovative website RD4U, designed by young people for young people.

Most recently Cruse has been developing its work with those bereaved by deaths in the Armed Services. Cruse is often called upon during major incidents. Cruse volunteers supported British families in New York after the September 11 attacks; people returning from SE Asia after the 2004 Tsunami; and the victims of the London bombings in 2005. It also provides specialist training and consultancy for professionals working with bereaved people.

The celebratory event at St James’s Palace was attended by more than 300 volunteers, staff and supporters of Cruse, as well as people who have been helped by the charity. A piece of music by Olga Thomas-Bosovskaya was specially composed for the occasion, and welcomed the charity’s patrons, among them Sir Sigmund Sternberg, co-founder of the Three Faiths Forum.

The Queen meets Dr Colin Murray Parkes, Life Patron of Cruse Bereavement Care.	Here is a just small selection of images taken from the evening. For a full slideshow, and to order copies, please go to the website of the official photographer, Theodore Wood and enter CRUSE for the key word. The photographer has arranged a 20% sales commission to come to Cruse Bereavement Care.
The Queen clearly found the display of Cruse work of great interest	The Queen meets Mike Pearson, Development Committee Chair and Trustee (left), and Nigel Tricker, Chairman of Cruse (right), who escorted her throughout the evening.
The Queen receives the book, Voices of Cruse, on the history of the organisation from editor Sara Richards	The Queen receives a bouquet from Izzie Bircher, who has published a book on RD4U, the young people's website, to help children when they are bereaved
The Queen receives a recording of the special anthem for Cruse's Golden Jubilee, "Restoring Hope", from composer Olga Thomas-Bosovskaya	Debbie Kerslake (right), Cruse Chief Executive, meets The Queen.