Jade's Bags charity expands its support across Lancashire

Debbie Meade-McLoughlin founded Jade’s bags following the loss of her daughter, Jade Taylor, who took her own life in July 2020.

Since then, the volunteer-led charity has grown to provide food parcels, toiletries, clothing, school uniforms, homeless essentials, patient packs for Royal Preston Hospital and support for women's refuges across the county.

The charity receives referrals from social services, mental health teams and organisations supporting vulnerable adults and families, while also accepting self-referrals from people in need.

Debbie said setting up the charity was her way of ensuring Jade's kindness and compassion continued to help others.

She said: "Jade was a beautiful, kind, thoughtful young lady with a smile that would light up anyone's heart. She spent her time caring for others in nursing homes, working with homeless people and supporting ex-offenders. I wanted to make sure her helping hand lived on through the charity."

The idea for Jade's Bags grew out of a family Christmas tradition Debbie had shared with her daughter for years.

She said: "Every January I'd start buying little gifts and putting them into a bag ready for Christmas. Jade died in July and I had her Christmas bag sitting there with all these presents in it. I didn't know what to do with it.

"A colleague suggested donating it to a local domestic violence unit. I asked family and friends if they would like to contribute to Jade's bag for the women there and the response was overwhelming. My front room and kitchen were full."

Delivering the gifts to the women's refuge gave Debbie a new perspective and inspired her to turn the act of kindness into something that could help even more people.

She continued: "I listened to their stories and realised many had arrived with virtually nothing. Although I was grieving my daughter, I was surrounded by amazing family, friends and work colleagues who supported me. These women often had nobody."

"I realised how fortunate I was despite everything that had happened. I felt Jade's life should be honoured, so I set up Jade's Bags with our tagline, 'Carrying you through hard times.'"

Seeing the difference those donations made inspired Debbie to establish the charity.

Over the past four years, Jade's Bags has expanded its work across Lancashire, supporting people during some of the most difficult times in their lives.

Reflecting on the charity's growth, Debbie said she believes Jade's legacy lives on through the people it helps.

"There is a reason I lost Jade and I truly believe in my heart that I needed to set up this charity. Look at what we're doing. Look at Jade's legacy. She was amazing and this charity is amazing. I can't believe how it's grown from just me saying, 'let's start a charity,' to helping so many people."

She added: "If Jade was here now, I think she'd say, 'Mum, I've always told you you're extra, but I love it. It's brilliant!'"

Debbie also praised the charity's volunteers, many of whom have experienced personal loss or hardship themselves.

Trustee Alex Cowie became involved with Jade's Bags after facing his own mental health challenges.

He said: "I related to Jade's story and wanted to give something back.

"I got into running and started fundraising through marathons and walking challenges. We climbed Ben Nevis last summer, completed the Yorkshire Three Peaks a couple of weeks ago and have raised thousands of pounds over the past four years. Every year we try to make the challenges bigger and raise even more."

Volunteer leader and trustee Michelle Anderson has supported the charity since it was founded.

She said: "When Jade died it was a huge tragedy for everyone who knew her. When Debbie asked if I'd help start the charity, it was an immediate yes.

"I lost my own son in 2022 and helping other people has helped me too. It really warms your heart when you can make a difference."

Secretary and trustee Tracie Neil said seeing the charity's impact on local people makes every hour of volunteering worthwhile.

She said: "It's incredibly rewarding. When you meet people who have nothing and see how grateful they are, it's very humbling. We have a fantastic team and I think that's why so many people want to support us."

Jade's Bags relies entirely on donations and community fundraising to continue supporting people across Lancashire.

Upcoming fundraising events include a family fun day at The Wilbraham Club in Preston on August 22 from 11am until 7pm, a charity bike ride in September, a Christmas party and the charity's annual black-tie ball in April 2027.

For more information about Jade's Bags, upcoming events or how to donate or volunteer, visit www.jadesbags.org or follow Jade's Bags Charity on social media.