The aunt of a ten-year-old girl whose mother died of cancer hopes to set up a bereavement support group for children in her name.

Haley Binns is helping to support her niece Zoe after her mother, Val Jennings, died earlier this month following a long battle against the disease.

But she was astonished to discover no groups existed in Bradford where Zoe could meet other children who had suffered the death of a parent.

Haley, of Blackshaw Drive, Buttershaw, said: "Its terrible for a little girl to have to see her mum suffering from cancer. Children need to talk to other kids who have gone through the same thing.

"They often bottle things up and I think it will take a long time for Zoe to come to terms with what's happened."

Mrs Jennings died at home in Brooksbank Avenue, Scholemoor, where she was cared for by her eldest daughter, Lisa, 21, and lived with Zoe and her other daughter, Dawn, 19.

Now the three sisters are living in the family house together.

Haley, who is married with two children of her own, said: "Val was a lovely woman and never complained about her illness.

"She made out she was okay so other people didn't feel bad. I know setting up a group will be hard work but it would be worthwhile if we could help Zoe and children like her."

Haley and her husband Martin hope to launch the group with the help of Social Services and volunteers.

The group would meet at least once a week and organise trips out.

Staff and regulars at the Bulls Head Hotel, in Great Horton Road, have already pledged to raise money for the cause. And Haley is planning to approach local businesses for cash support or equipment.

Councillor Michael Young, chairman of Bradford Council social services committee, said a club could fill a gap in service provision for children. "A death in the family is bad enough for an adult to come to terms with, let alone a child,'' he added.

Dr David Green, head of paediatrics at St Luke's Hospital, welcomed the idea but said it would need input from staff trained in counselling children.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.