Staff and directors have chosen to support the two organisations, both of which provide invaluable support to those suffering bereavement.

Conal McGarrity, director at P.A. Duffy & Co Solicitors, said: “As the instructed solicitors for Northern Ireland Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice, we are dealing with many bereaved families, helping to give them a voice and the opportunity for their story to be heard.

“Bereavement support is vital in helping people through one of the most painful and difficult times in life and we are so pleased to be able to support Cruse and Memory Stones of Love this year.”

Thelma Abernethy, head of Cruse NI, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with P.A. Duffy & Co Solicitors and looking forward to working with them on the many varied and creative fundraising activities we are planning throughout the year.

“Cruse is the leading bereavement charity in Northern Ireland, providing specialist support to children, young people and adults suffering devastating grief. Partnering with P.A. Duffy & Co will enable us to continue to deliver and extend our bereavement services and support to more people, more quickly.”

Brenda Doherty, co-founder with Ciaran Ward of Memory Stones of Love, said: “Our families, like so many others who’ve lost loved ones during the pandemic, had no goodbyes. Traditional funerals were restricted, and the norms were suspended.

“The next chapter in the journey is about to begin as we explore with Cruse how we can move forward supporting families who know a loss during the pandemic.”

Mr Ward added: “It is very important that we continue to campaign for the permanent memorial but also look at ensuring history reflects the reality of the losses during the pandemic, so they never become statistics. We are thankful to the team at P.A. Duffy & Co Solicitors for all they plan to do over the coming year.”

Their fundraising plans will kick off with a major 5k running event in Dungannon on Sunday 10 September.