‘Ruairí’s Rocket to heaven’ book written to help children process grief

Navigating the complexities of grief can be tremendously difficult. Many of the bereaved families we support are also faced with helping their other children understand their own grief and pain of losing their sibling.

After Breege’s son Ruairí died, she turned to books to help her older son Charlie understand his feelings, which became the inspiration to write and produce her very own book, Ruairí’s Rocket to Heaven. (You say it like Rur-ee).

Ruairí was referred to Shooting Star Children’s Hospices for end-of-life care, and after he died the family were able to spend a week of invaluable and much needed time with him in our bereavement suite at the hospice. Breege said, “It gave us time to carve every part of him into our hearts and minds.”

In the years that followed we provided bereavement support for the family. Breege said, “It helped me understand and navigate my grief, and in rebuilding my life, the support has been truly life-saving.”

Charlie also attended siblings’ days, group therapy sessions and one to one therapy sessions. “The hospice will always be a special place for my family and I, a place that holds our son’s memory,” said Breege.

We provide bereavement support for three years and three months after a child has died. Each bereaved family are given guidance and support by our highly experienced care team, providing specialist advice, counselling, therapies, family memory days, social groups, support visits and resources.

Sarah Hodkinson, Head of Family Support Services at Shooting Star Children’s Hospices said, “The death of a child is one of the most intensely painful experiences a human being can suffer. Ruairí’s Rocket is a rescuing rocket for siblings who are grieving…let it help you share the burden of a child’s grief. Let the magic of the story touch you too.”

All the proceeds of Ruairí’s Rocket to Heaven will be donated to Shooting Star Children’s Hospices and you can buy the book here.

You can access our bereavement hub or support our work by donating.