"You never expect a child is going to die - your children should never die before you," Margot McAllister told the Mandurah Mail, ahead of another touching memorial march to honour a lost loved one.
A founding member of The Compassionate Friends, Mrs McAllister will be one of many local community members taking part in the 15th annual Walk to Remember.
Held on Sunday, March 8, participants will walk along the Mandurah foreshore as part of The Compassionate Friends event - a local organisation providing support and helping individuals and families understand the grieving process.
Mrs McAllister said, while many of the people who attend were parents who have lost a child, the walk was open to anyone to honour the memory of a loved one.
"It's a meaningful and helpful memorial event. It's healing to get together with other people," she said.
"There are symbolic things we do during the walk, like we carry a little heart with us with a personal message and then we plant it in a heart shape when we get back."
Mrs McAllister said the walk also served as an important reminder of the group's services so bereaved community members were aware of the support available at no cost.
"There are so many people out there who don't know we're here and you worry about them," she said.
"Losing a child is the greatest trauma that any parent could ever experience and very difficult to go through on your own without any support.
"We can give you support and hope. What we do works because we've all been through it, we all know what it's like - every inch of that awful journey."
Event co-organiser, Sylvia Watts, who lost her son to suicide almost six years ago, described the walk as both "fulfilling and inspiring".
"It's an opportunity for people who have experienced the same thing to see that they aren't alone and that there are always people there for support," she said.
"It's also an opportunity to recognise your own personal loss and take that time for reflection."
Losing a child is the greatest trauma that any parent could ever experience and very difficult to go through on your own without any support.
- Margot McAllister
Walkers will meet at Dalrymple Park in Mandurah at 9.30am for a 10am start, launched by Mandurah MP David Templeman.
The walk is led by piper, Viv Riley, along the foreshore to the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre and back.
Upon return, walkers will enjoy a sausage sizzle prepared by the Lions Club of Mandurah and have the chance to socialise with others who have also experienced a loss.
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The Walk to Remember also serves as a fundraiser for The Compassionate Friends with participants able to be sponsored by friends, family and members of the public to participate in the event.
"Our work wouldn't be possible without this major fundraising event," Mrs McAllister said.
"It costs $25 to take part but that provides a bottle of water, sausage sizzle, a heart and ribbon to carry and a choice of our charity polo shirts."
To register, contact The Compassionate Friends on 9535 7761. People can also attend on the day, but registration is recommended.
