LOSING a child is the the worst thing which can happen to a parent.

Particularly in the cruellest of circumstances as happened when Roger and Linda Bullen lost their daughter, Catherine.

Catherine, a talented fifth year medical student, died suddenly from gastroenteritis in 2002 whilst on a working holiday in Namibia.

She was only 22-years-old at the time and had her whole life ahead of her - not least her planned career in medicine.

The former Colchester High School for Girls student had travelled to Africa as part of her studies at Bristol University.

She was due to work at healthcare practices in Zambia and then Tanzania before returning home to West Mersea in October.

Her journey of a lifetime was tragically cut short in the August.

It would have been easy, and perhaps understandable, for her parents to be consumed by grief.

But inspired by Catherine’s dream to help others, the Catherine Bullen Foundation was created, and the rest is history.

Almost exactly 15 years on, the charity has raised more than £500,000, helping some of the most disadvantaged people in the world.

Some legacy for Catherine and one the couple believe she would be proud of.

Mr Bullen said: “It has been a long journey, trying to come to terms with losing Catherine and providing a lasting and fitting legacy in Namibia in her memory.

“We have been spurred on by family, friends and supporters far and wide and knowing the foundation’s work is making a huge difference in Catherine’s name.

“This has been emphasised by our twice yearly visits to Namibia where we have personally witnessed and been inspired by how the foundation’s work has improved the lives of the people in the country.”

Set up in 2005, the foundation’s original ultimate goal was to create a new healthcare centre for residents in Otjimanangombe.

Focused on the rural communities in the Omaheke region, its first successful project was the refurbishment of a borehole to provide fresh water for Omuhaturua Primary School and a hostel in the village.

More than a decade later and they’ve achieved so much more - donating an ambulance to the village, constructing dormitories for schoolchildren and even installing flushing toilets for villagers.

These are things we take for granted in the UK, but have had a life-changing effect for so many in Otjimanangombe.

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

Mr Bullen said: “We never envisaged we would be so successful and our initial goal was to raise £100,000 to build the primary healthcare clinic at Otjimanangombe and we achieved that in two years assisted by a large grant from the Rooney Foundation.

“From then on we raised funds on a project by project basis leading to us reaching £500,000 this year and this process is ongoing.

“We are proud of all our achievements, but in particular the clinic we built at Otjimanangombe to provide a much-needed medical facility for the village and surrounding area.

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

“This led to the Namibian government naming the new clinic they built at Oshivelo after Catherine in recognition of the foundation’s work.”

Other personal accolades have also arrived and in 2015, former Colchester Hospital nurse Mrs Bullen was awarded an MBE for her services to nursing in Namibia and the foundation’s contributions to the country’s health and education sectors.

Work continues with the latest project being the construction of a multi-purpose hall at Omuhaturua Primary School and hostel, which will provide a venue for assemblies, indoor sports activities and somewhere for traders to host markets.

The foundation is also fundraising to supply a life-saving 4x4 ambulance for the clinic in Otjimanangombe.

Clacton and Frinton Gazette:

Coronavirus has made things more difficult, but the couple are determined to keep making a difference.

It is what they know Catherine would have wanted them to do.

Mr Bullen said: “Knowing Catherine, she would be humbled by the work done in her name.

“She was a caring and compassionate person and supported the underdog and she would be pleased to see the foundation’s projects following these principles.”

To find out more about the charity or donate, visit namibia-aid.org.uk.