In 2012, the Hodge’s family entered a devastating chapter in their life, when they lost their 10 month old son, Bodie, following a terrible choking accident.

Through this heart-wrenching experience, it became very clear that there was a lack of support for bereaved families of a child.

In 2013, Nick Hodges, Bodie’s Father, found the strength and courage to launch the charity through his passion and determination to create a platform which truly supports bereaved families. 6 years later and the foundation has had an incredible impact across the East Midlands and afar.

The Bodie Hodges Foundation offers support to families that have been bereaved of a child and raises awareness of Organ Donation.

Here is an idea of just some of the support that the foundation offers:

• Providing families who have been bereaved of a child with a one week stay at Bodie’s Boathouse; a purpose-built lodge at Tallington Lakes near Stamford. Bodie’s Boathouse is luxurious, with stunning views of the Lakes. There are games and creative resources, as well as grief books for people to use during their stay. Our aim is to give families the time, environment and space to reflect, relax and explore. Families can stay free of charge for a week. A meal and a family activity are provided for each family who visits Bodie’s Boathouse.
   
• Our ‘With Love’ project gives every family who stays at Bodie’s Boathouse the opportunity to have a precious keepsake toy made from their child’s clothing.
   
• ‘Bodie’s Treasured Memory Bags’ are a free resource provided to support siblings living with the death of a brother or sister. They are filled with grief resources which support families to understand feelings of grief but also to remember their brother or sister by. There are books, art sets and keepsake activities to support ages 3-12 and 13 and over. 
   
• An ‘Organ Donation Schools Education Programme’ was launched in September 2018 in order to raise awareness of the facts about organ donation and enable pupils to make an informed decision and then start a conversation with their families about their wishes. This has been delivered to so far over 7,000 key stage 4 & 5 pupils through a presentation in assembly’s and is accompanied by a short film that the foundation have produced. This programme is also being extended to business community.

To find our more about Bodie Hodges Foundation, visit bodiehodgesfoundation.co.uk.