A WHARFEDALE MP is backing a local charity's calls for improved support for grieving parents.

Elliot's Footprint is a Leeds-based support group founded by Andrea and John Kerslake in 2014 following the sudden death of their two and a half year old son, Elliot.

Left alone with their grief while trying to raise their other two children without any professional support, the couple vowed to act to help others.

Their charity supports families by providing help and guidance, including bereavement services, and is now appealing for funding for a Bereavement Support Worker.

MP Greg Mulholland (Lib Dem, Leeds North West), who has campaigned for more compassionate statutory leave for parents who have lost a child, said: "Those who have been affected by the sudden loss of a child go through a bereavement process that provides little to no support for families.

"Elliot’s Footprint is doing fantastic work in Leeds, offering immediate support to families after their loss.

"It is amazing that after their own heartbreaking loss Andrea and John have done so much to offer support to other parents in the same situation.

"The campaign for improved bereavement services has my full backing - there needs to be an employed bereavement support worker to provide professional guidance on services and ongoing support after the loss."

Mrs Kerslake said: "We are just delighted Greg is backing our campaign and helping to highlight the need to support bereaved families.

"This is a Leeds-wide campaign and we feel Greg shares our charity's desire to ensure bereaved families are not left to cope alone.

"For us every penny donated puts us that one step closer to securing the long-term help and support that is desperately needed."

Reflecting on her own experience, she added: "It’s an incredibly difficult journey to be on, one that you could never ever be prepared for, four years on and it still feels like yesterday."

More details on how to support the campaign can be found at elliotsfootprint.org .