Jade Goody

I haven’t ever watched Reality TV, not even Big Brother.

Nor have I followed the career of Jade Goody, Big Brother’s most famous celebrity creation.

Yet it was impossible not to be struck by her tragic death aged 27 – and by what Jade achieved through the coverage of her last days.

Tributes have emphasised how she raised awareness among young women of the importance of screening for cervical cancer.

Experts report a surge in numbers of women seeking tests - some for the first time – with many laboratories reporting a rise of 20%, and some up to 50%.

No taxpayer-funded information campaign could have achieved such an effect. Even if some unnecessary tests happen and even if this “Jade effect” is not sustained, the likelihood is that some young lives will be saved.

Yet there’s another legacy Jade leaves. I hope it doesn’t get overlooked: the fate of young children losing a parent.

Jade allowed the intrusion at the end of her life to raise money for her two boys – Bobby and Freddy, aged 5 and 4 respectively.

The truth is, many children who lose a parent don’t get the support they need.

The death of a parent can dramatically reduce family income and impose other stresses – some only emerging months and even years later.

There are some fantastic charities to help – I’m proud to be a Patron of our local charity, Jigsaw4u.

But more help is needed.

With the Childhood Bereavement Network, I recently pressed the Minister for Children and Families – Ed Balls - for policy changes to make information, advice and counselling more available for all bereaved children. For Bobby, Freddy and many others, I hope he acts.