There has been a gap in this type of support
Bereavement support experts Cruse Scotland has joined forces with a family-run charity to launch a new support service.
It aims to help children, young people and adults bereaved by a sudden and traumatic death.
It has partnered with the Lewis Leap Sudden and Traumatic Bereavement Support Service which was founded following the tragic death of 13-year-old Lewis Johnson on a family holiday in 2019.
The family from Edinburgh wanted to honour the life and spirit of Lewis and help others who find themselves facing loss under challenging circumstances.
This new service was launched at the charity’s annual fundraising event on 24 August 2025, surrounded by Lewis’ family, friends and community as well as members of the Cruse Scotland staff and volunteer team.
Lewis’ mum, Elizabeth Johnson, said, “The impact of Lewis’ death on our family and friends was overwhelming, and we struggled to process what had happened and why it had happened to us.
“The support we so desperately wanted didn’t seem to be available. We committed to work with Cruse Scotland to shape a specialist support service for others to access in the early stages of grief who had experienced a sudden and traumatic death.”
“I’m so proud that the service is named after Lewis, as he was always so kind and generous to friends and strangers alike. Through this service, his selfless spirit lives on.”
This specialist support can be accessed via any of the existing Cruse Scotland routes including its helpline: 0808 802 6161 (Weekdays 9 am-8 pm, Weekends 10 am-2 pm); GriefChat via www.crusescotland.org.uk (Weekdays 9 am-9 pm); and email: support@crusescotland.org.uk
Fiona Arnott-Barron, Cruse Scotland chief executive, said: “We are delighted to launch this vital service after three years of hard work and collaboration with Lewis Leap. Having members of the Johnson family and many other bereaved people help us shape this support service, which has been extremely valuable in ensuring it will provide the most appropriate support at the right time.
“Although Cruse Scotland had already taken some steps to address the gap in support for people struggling in the early days and weeks following a death, we knew there were still significant gaps for those who had been catapulted into a new and unwelcomed reality following an unexpected and traumatic death.”
“For those requiring support with their grief after such a sudden loss, Cruse Scotland is here, and I would like to thank the Johnson family sincerely for their support in making it possible.”
