The parents of 21-year-old Sara Zelenak, who died in the London Bridge terror attack in 2017, have set up a charity in memory of their daughter which will launch Australia’s first traumatic grief healing sanctuary.

The charity, Sarz sanctuary, was founded by Julie and Mark Wallace who want to dedicate their lives to help those suffering from traumatic grief to heal, share their experiences and ultimately find peace.

While struggling with the loss of their daughter, Sara’s parents realised there was no institution that provided ‘a comprehensive range of therapies to treat grief in one place’, and this inspired the charity’s creation.

The sanctuary will offer traditional and non-traditional therapies to help people cope with grief, including support from general practitioners, psychologists, counsellors, physiotherapists, kinesiologists, reiki therapists, massage therapists, dietitians, personal trainers, yoga instructors, naturopaths and aromatherapists.

Mark Wallace told Spa Business “Sarz Sanctuary is bringing together positive communities to help those who suffer from traumatic grief to find their own peace”.

A site for the sanctuary has been identified in Noosa, Australia, but the charity is still working to fund the project and looking for investors.

In future, the Wallaces have hopes to expand Sarz Sanctuary into a network across Australia, the UK and then the world.

Sarz Sanctuary also has plans to build a digital presence to provide help to those who cannot visit the first Australian site. Online services will include member-only digital forums, podcasts and webinars, which will share holistic healing philosophies and concepts throughout the world.

“Sarz Sanctuary will offer a place where people from Australia, the UK and around the world can come to heal in their own way from the devastating impact traumatic grief has on their body, mind and spirit,” said Julie Wallace.

Sarz Sanctuary is seeking financial support to help gather funds for the Noosa sanctuary. Their major fundraiser is Meet You In Paris, a bike ride from London to Paris, June 2020.

Those who can’t be in London can register as a virtual rider and ride the same distance in the month of June, raising funds and awareness for Sarz Sanctuary.