Daniel Morcombe’s parents open foundation house to support young victims of crime

The loving parents of Daniel Morcombe, the teenager who was abducted and murdered on the Sunshine Coast, opened a new facility this week to assist those who have experienced trauma.

Bruce and Denise Morcombe came together with members of the community on Friday to officially open the Daniel House, a dedicated national headquarters for the family’s foundation which was created in honour of their son.

The house, located in Palmwoods, will provide free counselling to young victims of crime, as a way of hopefully repairing their lives. While the facility will be the primary base, the service will stretch right across the Sunshine Coast from Caboolture to Gympie.

Speaking to the crowd at the opening ceremony, Bruce expressed how important it was for the family to create the house and support those in need.

“Daniel’s final resting place is about a few hundred metres from our ceremony this morning and of course Palmwoods is, will be, deep into the future, the emotional heart of the Daniel Morcombe Foundation,” the emotional father said in footage captured by 7 News Brisbane.

For the past 15 years since Daniel was abducted Bruce and Denise have worked tirelessly to help those that need it most, even after murderer Peter Brett Cowan was sentenced to life in prison for his horrific crimes.

The couple have visited a total 1,000 schools throughout Queensland all the while spreading the message of child safety to millions of kids.

They have been praised by many for their hard work, including the Sunshine Coast Police who attended the official opening this week.

“Today’s opening ceremony was an acknowledgement of the amazing work of over one hundred local businesses who assisted with labour or materials for the house,” the police said in a statement issued on Friday.

“And of course a special mention to the many volunteers and the Daniel Morcombe Foundation committee.”

The police went on to congratulate the couple and those involved in the foundation for the range of programs developed to help educate children and their carers about safe behaviours.

“Awareness days such as ‘Day for Daniel’ help to ensure that the message about keeping children safe reaches the wider community,” they added.

Others across the country took to social media to send their messages of support, noting the sheer courage of Bruce and Denise.

“These parent are freaking amazing. Outstanding humans giving so much under the most horrific of circumstances,” one person wrote on Facebook.

“Congratulations to you all! Fantastic! I know there will be one beautiful boy up in heaven looking down and beaming with pride,” another added.

A third said: “The pain of losing a child cannot be repaired but something beautiful has grown from something so ugly. Daniel lives on in our hearts and the Morcombe family and this foundation are towers of strength to others who have suffered and saviours to those whose children’s lives have been saved because of this awareness created”.

Last December the loving parents of Daniel posted a heartfelt tribute to their late son on the anniversary of his death on the Daniel Morcombe Foundation page.

“15 years on. The world is a very different place to the one Daniel knew. Who could believe it will be 15 years since we lost our son?” Bruce and Denise wrote. “Thankfully he is not forgotten. His tragic story is one that must be retold so that we all reflect and become energised and empowered to learn important life skills to keep kids safe.”

Read more: Daniel Morcombe’s family pay touching tribute on 15th anniversary since death

The couple also explained that while the Morcombe family has been through an extremely tough time, they are now in a good place.

“It’s been a tough journey but we are in a happy place,” the continued. “Becoming grandparents and seeing our other sons married are wonderful experiences. We will never forget the generosity and kind embrace of the community. Amazingly that continues today and we thank you, one and all.”

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