A YOUNG mother, who overcame a devastating double tragedy to establish a charity helping other families cope with loss, is among the locals names nominated for a national award.

In 2012, Rhian Burke’s life was changed forever, when she lost her infant son and her husband within the space of five days.

Rhian feels the lack of support offered to her and her husband Paul after the sudden death of one-year-old George may have played a part in Paul’s tragic death less than a week later.

Motivated by a desire to make sure others would not have to bear the loss of a child on their own, the 37-year-old, originally from Neyland, established bereavement charity 2 Wish Upon A Star – which aims to ensure all hospitals in Wales have a dedicated space for families to grieve in private.

Three years on, she has been named by First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones as a finalist in the 2015 St David Awards, which acknowledge the extraordinary achievements of people in Wales.

Speaking ahead of what would have been George’s fourth birthday, on February 14, Rhian said she was “humbled” to be nominated.

“It’s not really for me though, it’s for everyone who has supported me,” she said.

To date, the charity has raised almost £350,000, all from small public donations, and opened its first bereavement suite at the University Hospital Wales last year, with another scheduled to open soon at the Prince Charles Hospital.

Nominated in the awards' bravery category are Mark Jones, Matthew Thomas and Jim Salmon - Dyfed-Powys police officers who risked their lives helping rescuing two men from a house fire in Haverfordwest in November 2013.

The officers, from Haverfordwest and Pembroke Dock stations, braved dense smoke to enter the building, but became trapped inside the inferno.

PC Salmon's quick thinking saw him prise open the burning door with the aerial of his radio, allowing the three courageous officers and two casualties

to escape.

Medical officers on the scene said the residents could have died from smoke inhalation after just a few more minutes inside the building.

In the north of the county, Derek Pusey, Leonard Walters and Clive Williams of Cardigan RNLI have also been nominated for their roles in a dramatic night-time rescue near Tresaith, Ceredigion, in September 2013.

And in the enterprise category, Andrew Evans, managing director of St Brides Spa Hotel, in Saundersfoot, has been nominated following his transformation of the former seaside coaching hotel into an award-winning destination.

Mr Evans, who is also the founding chairman of the Saundersfoot Chamber for Tourism and a commissioner with the Saundersfoot Trust Port, said he was ‘humbled and very honoured’ to be nominated.

“I understand the nomination is primarily for the impact St Brides has had on hospitality in west Wales - in particular, putting Saundersfoot on the map - and also the work by the hard working voluntary Saundersfoot Chamber for Tourism,” he said.

“I’m deeply grateful to have had a fantastic team around me, loyal for many years, so thanks to all for their fortitude, and most importantly to my wife Lindsey for the hard work she does unnoticed.”

Award winners will be named at a special ceremony - sponsored by Valero - at the Senedd in Cardiff on Thursday, March 12.

For more information visit www.stdavidawards.org.uk.