Sudden Sam

Sudden Sam was founded following the unexpected death of Sam Mercer in 2023. His family were left devastated – not only by their grief, but by the overwhelming systems and lack of support that followed. Determined that no other family should face this alone, his brother Tom launched Sudden Sam to fill the gap in emotional and practical care.

The charity now offers a comprehensive mix of services. These include one-to-one and group counselling, initial home visits, community coffee mornings, and support with navigating inquests and multi-agency procedures. Financial help is also available, covering funeral costs and travel expenses when families are in hardship.

Sudden Sam’s reach continues to grow thanks to its committed team. Four freelance counsellors currently support dozens of people, with help from a strong network of volunteers. The charity also produces accessible resources, including a plain-language guide to the legal and practical processes that follow a sudden death.

In addition to emotional and practical support, Sudden Sam is developing tools to help people talk about grief. A children’s book – I Carry You Everywhere – is due to be published soon.

Looking ahead, the charity has the opportunity to move into a dedicated base, thanks to Sefton Council. This space would allow them to expand their work, particularly for children, and become a central hub for the community. The building requires refurbishment and running costs, and a grant from the John Good Group will help make this vision a reality – supporting even more families in need.