Christmas Eve: Grieving families to ring bells for children

Joseph’s family set up a charity called Joseph’s Smile to support other children with cancer after his death.

Ms Rees told BBC Wales Breakfast on Monday the idea came from “something incredible” which happened on Christmas Eve the year after his death.

There was a plan to ring a bell on a train which Joseph loved, but this stopped working.

However, the community in Brynamman came out with “hundreds” of bells at midday.

“They rang them for Joseph,” she said. “Kate (Joseph’s mum) and I turned to each other and said this has to happen every year and this has to happen for every child in heaven.”

Ms Rees said hearing the bells is “something else” and “brings so much hope and comfort” to grieving families.

“It’s important we keep saying their names,” she said. “A parent’s greatest fear after losing their child is that they’re forgotten.”

Her message to other grieving families was: “You’re not alone, it’s a really difficult time.

“If you need to shut the door on Christmas that’s OK, but equally it’s OK to enjoy and miss them at the same time. Laugh when you can, cry when you need to.

“Grief is the price we pay for love.”