Bereavement charity 2wish has supported 10,404 people affected by the sudden and unexpected death of a child or young person over the past 14 years, as the charity continues its rapid expansion across England and Wales.
The charity has helped parents, siblings, parents, grandparents, and professionals impacted by sudden bereavement.
Founded in 2012 by Rhian Mannings MBE following the devastating loss of her baby son George, 2wish was born from personal tragedy and a determination to ensure no bereaved family faces unimaginable grief alone.
Just five days after George's death, Rhian's husband Paul tragically took his own life, overwhelmed by grief. Left to cope with the trauma alone while raising her two young children, Rhian discovered there was little to no immediate support available for families navigating sudden bereavement.
That experience became the driving force behind 2wish – a charity dedicated to providing immediate and ongoing emotional and practical support to anyone affected by the sudden death of a child or young adult.
Rhian Mannings MBE said:
“While the number of people we have helped is heartbreaking, because every single figure represents a family experiencing unimaginable pain, I am incredibly proud of what the 2wish team has achieved over the last 14 years.
“When George died and then Paul passed away just days later, there was no support available for families like mine. I know how isolating and devastating that experience can be.
“Today, because of the dedication of our staff, volunteers, supporters, and the courage of the families we work alongside every day, thousands of people are no longer facing that journey alone. That is something incredibly powerful, and we remain committed to ensuring every bereaved family receives the care, compassion, and specialist support they deserve.”
In 2024, 2wish successfully expanded its services from Wales into Bristol, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire, Shropshire, Somerset, and Cheshire, extending vital bereavement support to even more communities.
Since October 2025, the charity has further expanded its reach and is now delivering services across Devon and Cornwall, Dorset, Wiltshire, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, and Merseyside.
Working closely with NHS, police forces, and hospital trusts, 2wish has established immediate support pathways across all Emergency and Critical Care Units within the newly expanded regions. This integrated approach helps ensure that bereaved families are identified quickly and offered compassionate, specialist support in the immediate aftermath of tragedy, ensuring no family is overlooked or left to face their grief unsupported.
2wish was founded in 2012 by Rhian Mannings MBE after she and her husband Paul experienced the heartache of losing their baby son, George. They left the hospital heartbroken, confused and bewildered with no support. Five days later, consumed with grief, Paul took his own life. There was no support available, and she and her children felt completely alone and so she set up 2wish to ensure that there is help available for any families going through a similar experience.
Since 2012, 2wish has supported over 10,287 people who have lost a child or young person aged 25 or under. Working hand in hand with organisations such as the Police, NHS Wales and Organ Donation Wales, it provides support to make sure that no family is missed. Across every Emergency Unit and Critical Care Unit in Wales and some areas of England, there are now immediate support pathways in place.
