RELATIVES of a much-loved teenager who died at a music festival have launched a charity to support people following the death of a child.

Seventeen-year-old Megan Bell, from Seaham, County Durham, died while attending the T in the Park festival in Scotland last summer.

Megan’s Rainbow Support Group has been set up after the family was left struggling to find the support they needed in the weeks after her death.

Megan’s dad, Chris, 44, said: “The grief you go through, and the pain, can never be taken away, but seeing people who can help you gives you some relief.

“Megan would have loved this, knowing it is all in her name. She was known among her friends as the ‘mother hen’ as she was always fussing over people, so she would be smiling about this.”

Money raised by the charity will be used to help people cope with the unexpected financial pressure of losing a child as well as the grief.

Members of the family faced a wait of up to three weeks before they could see a bereavement counsellor, which then involved a round trip of more than 30 miles to Hartlepool.

They were supported financially by friends, Laura Ward and Gillian Graham, who rallied the community to help during the family’s darkest hour.

The aim is to provide funds when people need them and offer an easily accessible counselling service.

Megan, a former pupil at St Anthony’s Catholic Girls’ Academy, lived with her dad, mum Lisa, 41, sisters Jenny, eight, and Maddy, ten, and brother Josh, 12.

Her grandparents, Eddie and Jenny Bell are Seaham Town and Durham County Councillors and are currently the Mayor and Mayoress of Durham.

Cllr Jenny Bell said: “It is aimed at people who lose a child under the age of 18. It is often very unexpected and not something people are prepared for.

“We are raising money for people in financial difficulty if this sort of thing happens to them and for the bereavement support.”

An inquest has been opened into Megan’s death and the initial hearing was told ecstasy was found in her system.

Her family has said she did not take drugs and are still trying to establish was happened to her.

The charity’s first fundraising event, a coffee morning at the headquarters of County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue, in Belmont, Durham, was held on Friday morning.

It was organised by Julia Errington, who works for the fire service and is the wife of chief fire officer Stuart Errington.

Several further events have been organised, including a night of live music and karaoke at Dawdon Miners’ Welfare Social Club on April 1.

A charity football match featuring former Sunderland AFC players, boxers and mixed martial artists is being held on Saturday, June 3 and there will be a day of live entertainment, Music for Megan, on Terrace Green in Seaham on Saturday, June 10.

  • Anyone who would like to find out more about Megan’s Rainbow Support Group, or to volunteer as a counsellor, can email jenbee@icloud.com