FEARS that a specialist bereavement service for children could be lost have prompted a passionate online campaign.

More than 3,600 people have signed a petition to save the Sandy Bear service, which has been supporting young people dealing with grief for almost 20 years.

Based in Neyland since 2015, it is jointly funded by Pembrokeshire County Council and Hywel Dda Health Board, and costs around £60,000 a year to run.

But due to Welsh Government funding cuts, its future is at risk.

The council and the health board have stressed a final decision has not yet been made, but concerned Johnston mum Nina Evans has started a petition to keep it running.

Sandy Bear helped her son George, then five, come to terms with his father's death.

“Sandy Bear came to see him every week, doing different activities and helping him express himself through art and making things like a memory jar and bracelets,” she said.

“They talked to George and explained how his daddy had died.

“George also had a fear that I would go to work and die too, and Sandy Bear worked with George to turn that fear around.

“I would hate to think where we would be now without their support.

“It was a hard enough ordeal dealing with grief myself.

“Sandy Bears made sure my boys didn't have to suffer any more than necessary.”

Milford Mercury:

A Facebook campaign has also seen more than 350 people change their profile picture to show support for this important service.

Sandy Bear currently employs two members of staff, and a team of trained volunteers.

Described as a “victim of its own success”, in 2014-15 it had 150 referrals, 98 of whom received support.

Forty-two young people are currently using the service, and the health board has said it is still accepting referrals, but "where an alternative service is able to meet the individual's needs this is being considered as well".

To change your profile picture in support, visit http://twibbon.com/support/save-sandy-bear.

To sign the petition, click here or visit change.org and search ‘Save the Sandy Bears’.