Parentline Founder Dies

A FAIR Oak woman who founded a national charity for parents has died, aged 60. Lorraine Tate – who set up Hampshire-based Organisation for Parents under Stress (OPUS), which later became nationwide charity Parentline – lost her three-year cancer battle in October.

She had set up a support group for parents in 1988 after being widowed and left with her two children, Helen and Paul. It later became OPUS after receiving funding and training from Hampshire County Council social services department.

Later it became a nationwide charity and changed its name to Parentline. It is now called Parentline Plus and it helps over half a million parents and carers each year.

Television presenter Debbie Thrower led the tributes at a service at St Thomas’ Church, Fair Oak. She said: “It’s not many of us who have the courage to face our own mortality as Lorraine did, by planning her own memorial service.

“But Lorraine was a woman of great strength and resolve. Joy and laughter is what everyone describes straightaway of Lorraine’s personality. She had a great sense of humour.

“Parentline Plus remains her greatest legacy.”