Lewis Leap has joined forces with Cruse Scotland, the Nation's leading bereavement support experts, to launch a new early support service for children, young people and adults bereaved by a sudden and traumatic death.
The Lewis Leap Sudden and Traumatic Bereavement Support Service has been shaped by those with lived experience, including some of Lewis’ family members.
This new service was launched at the annual Lewis Leap Dog Show in the Cammo Estate, Edinburgh, on Sunday 24 August 2025, surrounded by Lewis’ family, friends and community as well as members of the Cruse Scotland staff and volunteer team.
The impact of Lewis’ death on our family and friends was overwhelming, and we struggled to process what had happened and why it had happened to us. The support we so desperately needed wasn't available. We committed to working with Cruse Scotland to shape a specialist support service for others to access in the early stages of grief who had experienced a sudden and traumatic death.
We are so proud that the service is named after Lewis, as he was always so kind and generous to friends and strangers alike. Through this service, his selfless spirit lives on.
Fiona Arnott-Barron, Cruse Scotland Chief Executive, said, “We are delighted to launch this vital service after three years of hard work and collaboration with Lewis Leap. Having members of the Johnson family and many other bereaved people help us shape this support service, which has been extremely valuable in ensuring it will provide the most appropriate support at the right time.”
“Although Cruse Scotland had already taken some steps to address the gap in support for people struggling in the early days and weeks following a death, we knew there were still significant gaps for those who had been catapulted into a new and unwelcomed reality following an unexpected and traumatic death.”
“For those requiring support with their grief after such a sudden loss, Cruse Scotland is here, and I would like to thank the Johnson family sincerely for their support in making it possible.”
If you need support with your grief, no matter how recent or long ago the death occurred, or your relationship to them, you can find the support that’s right for you at www.crusescotland.org.uk
