Thank you to the Petitions Committee for bringing forward this important petition and debate today. This is my first petitions debate since becoming a Member of the Senedd, and first of all I’d like to congratulate Mr Sargeant on his chairing of that committee and bringing this item forward today, and on what, for me, was a humbling contribution from you, Jack. It certainly puts into perspective the petition in front of us here today. Despite the sad nature of many petitions that are submitted to the Senedd, echoing the words of Buffy earlier, I think it's fantastic to see democracy in action and ordinary members of the public being able to submit any petition that they like, and for us in this national Parliament to be able to look into these and to debate those petitions.

Looking at the petition in front of us here today, 'Supporting Families with Sudden and Unexpected Death in Children and Young Adults,' it is of course vitally important that we look into this and provide the best support that is possible. I'm sure there are Members in the Chamber here today who perhaps will have lost a child or a young adult, or perhaps they have close members of their family or friends who have lost a child suddenly—and I think of my own family at this time as well with this particular petition. And as the petition states, we desperately need to ensure that those families, perhaps some of our own families here, who unexpectedly lose their child, receive that support that they need to get them through. It is a travesty that some families are left to their own devices and don't receive any support or contact from professionals.

Nevertheless, I want to take just a few moments to focus on some of those organisations that are doing a great job in this field at the moment already. Over the summer, I had the pleasure of meeting with Tŷ Gobaith, who Mr Isherwood referred to a moment ago, who, along with Tŷ Hafan, are Wales's only children's hospices. It's hospices like these that are rightly known for the support that they provide to families whose children have life-limiting illnesses. But they also provide exceptional support for the families of any child or young person who has died suddenly, whether or not they've had previous contact with the hospice. And the family were given access to the full range of support services offering guidance, care, and in many cases, being a sounding board or a shoulder to cry on. When I visited Tŷ Gobaith, I was taken aback by their snowflake room, which again Mr Isherwood referred to a few moments ago. This room allows family members to be with their child for a longer period of time after they've passed away. It's such an important time for families to spend with their loved ones, providing opportunities for other members of the child's life to say goodbye in their own way. And it's really important, I think, to remember that many families and people grieve in many different ways, meaning different aspects of support must be available, and as the petition requests here today, offered to those grieving families at the very least.

We've heard today of the good work, excellent work, by 2 Wish Upon a Star, who provide immediate and ongoing bereavement support to those affected by the sudden and traumatic loss of a child or young adult, aiming to help those faced with the unimaginable to live again, smile again and to never give up hope. So, these are some great examples of where support is available, and it's helping families throughout Wales. But I think one of the issues being highlighted through this petition is certainly a lack of consistency and a lack of certainty that support will be available for every family who is sadly bereaved. And that for me is why, certainly, I'm more than happy to put my weight behind this petition, so we have that consistency, that assurance that any family who does suffer bereavement will have that support offered to them.

So, to conclude, Chair, I'd like to thank the Petitions Committee again for all the fantastic work that they've done in this Senedd term—and with Ms Finch-Saunders chairing the Petitions Committee previously, the work done previously as well—and, of course, the contributions from Members in the Chamber today, I must say, are humbling and heart-warming, that we're seeking to see the best for the people of Wales. I'm sure that all Members can get behind the petition and ensure the Welsh Government provides all families and friends with the right support that they need in their darkest time. Diolch yn fawr iawn.