A quarter of a century ago Hazel Greenwood’s life changed forever.

That was the day on which the wife and mother lost her husband and two sons.

To many people, the notion of being able to carry on after such a tragedy is not easy to grasp. But, though the emotional pain is always present and will never leave her, Hazel has rebuilt her life, and helped others in memory of her family.

Hazel’s husband, Peter, was deputy head at Bradford’s Thorn Park School for Deaf Children.

With members of staff from the school, and representatives from Bradford College – where Peter helped to establish a course for young deaf people – and the Centre for the Deaf in Hallfield Road, she helped to form the Peter Greenwood Memorial Trust Fund for Deaf People, providing bursaries of up to £500 to help students aged 11 upwards pay for vital course materials and equipment.

Over the years it has helped hundreds of students – an average of 30 every year – and is something of which, says Hazel, Peter would have been proud.

“He was dedicated to his work, and tried hard to promote equality of opportunity for young deaf people, particularly in further and higher education,” she said.

In 1993, in memory of Felix, 13, and 11-year-old Rupert, Hazel launched a travel fund for young people from Denholme, where the family lived.

Awarding up to £200 for each application, it helps young people aged between ten and 25 wishing to take a journey of educational or cultural interest.

“It has helped many children over the years, which is wonderful,” said Hazel, who lives in the Aire Valley.

“Teenagers travelling abroad, children visiting London, and Scouts going on jamborees – all sorts of experiences.”

The former lecturer and careers adviser has also donated paintings to Parkside School and Denholme First School, where her sons were pupils, and planted trees in the grounds at Parkside. She also donated a painting to the Centre for the Deaf.

Since taking early retirement aged 50, Hazel has embraced life, with barely a spare moment among the many activities she enjoys.

She loves birdwatching, particularly alongside lakes or the coastline, benefiting from the known soothing effects of water.

“For anyone who has been through a trauma, getting out into the countryside and close to nature, particularly water, is very therapeutic.”

Hazel enjoys Scottish country dancing, is a keen gardener and enjoys walking.

“This year I’m doing the Wolds Way with friends,” she said.

Swimming and narrowboating are also among her interests and she is involved in voluntary work for Leeds Primary Care Trust.

Yet while she enjoys her many pastimes, the deep sense of loss remains with her.

“It is like carrying some kind of cross through life. I put a lot of effort into having a good social life and developing myself to the full, but it still seems to me that I am carrying an awful burden.”

She also believes that very few people understand the enormity of that burden and its implications. “I rarely meet anyone who has had a similar experience.”

Hazel did establish a group to help the multiply bereaved, but it was short-lived.

She sees her daughter, Jessica, 33, regularly, and gets great pleasure from spending time with her nine-year-old grandaughter, Poppy.

Every year Hazel, Jessica and Poppy walk to a place dear to their hearts at Widdop in the Calder Valley, where a plaque is fixed to a rock in memory of her husband and sons.

Peter was booking secretary at the nearby Scout hostel and, while he checked the premises, Hazel sat and read newspapers as the children played in the stream.

The effects of trauma, she says, carry on through both extended family and throughout life, down the generations. “You cannot escape it – you have to live with it.”

Other, additional losses and traumas can reopen the wounds. Most people see me as gregarious and happy, but sometimes I can be completely overwhelmed. You never get over it – you just get used to it.”

The Peter Greenwood Memorial Trust Fund for Deaf People also welcomes applications from groups looking after deaf students.

Visit petergreenwoodtrust.moonfruit.com or ring Clive Robinson on (01943) 880273. Felix and Rupert Greenwood Trust memorial Travel Fund: contact the town clerk at Denholme Town Council on (01274) 833191 or look at villageagenda.com.

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