A DAUGHTER who lost her father to a sudden heart attack has described the “amazing” way she was helped through her grief by a charity.

Tara Amin, of Lyndhurst Gardens, Finchley, was devastated when her father, Rizkar, died at home when she was just 18-years-old.

But she says she would not have been able to get through it had it not been from the care and support she was given at Grief Encounter, in Finchley.

She is now keen to tell her story and raise awareness about the charity as it launches the first ever Children’s Grief Awareness Week from November 19 to 25.

The 21-year-old medical student said she felt “surreal” when her psychiatrist father died during Easter half term.

She said: “I was in a bad mood because the gardener woke me up. I went downstairs and my mum told me my dad was not feeling well and she called an ambulance.

“He knew he was having a heart attack and he asked me to go upstairs to pack him things for the hospital. By the time I got there, I heard my mum scream. I ran downstairs but he was already gone.

“It was absolutely horrible. I still have flashbacks of it all. I knew how serious a heart attack was but when I saw he wasn’t well, I didn’t think it was going to be the end.”

Their gardener rushed inside the house and began administering CPR, but it was too late to save the 54-year-old doctor.

She added: “I was in absolute shock. I don’t know whether it’s your bodies defence mechanism – but the whole thing felt very strange.

“One minute you’re storming downstairs because you’ve just been woken up and a few hours later you’re in the hospital touching your cold dad.

“You don’t realise how lucky you are until something like that happens to you.”

When Tara’s mother, Nayereh, suggested she and her 15-year-old brother, Dylan, see a grief counsellor, she was originally receptive to the idea.

She was studying for her first year exams at University College London at the time and thought there was a “stigma” attached to it.

But when she finally agreed to go, she never looked back.

She said speaking about her father and reminiscing about memories bought comfort.

She said: “Dad wanted the most out of life. He had such a love of life, he just wanted to do everything and experience everything. As well as having a doctorate, he also had a law degree.

“He was the most caring person. He grew up in a warzone in Kurdistan and he was a freedom fighter, dedicated to women’s rights.”

She added: “Grief Encounter has been amazing for my family. Someone came to our house and spoke to us to find out what kind of family we are.

“Although I was absolutely against it, it was the best thing I have ever done. I loved going there in the end. I had an amazing counsellor who related to me.

“I was feeling anger, sadness, frustration and confusion but it was so nice to have a safe place I could go to speak to someone.

“It’s the best help I’ve ever had and I know I can go back whenever I want – it’s never goodbye there. It’s done so much for me. Grief can be isolating but this place is amazing.”

As part of Children’s Grief Awareness Week, Grief Encounter will host events across the UK.

Forever Night will see a nationwide candle lighting and patrons and friends of the charity will launch the campaign in the House of Commons.

Comedians Al Murray and Lee Nelson have also been showing support.

For more information click here to buy grief ribbons from November 19.