TWO young Edgware girls whose mother died last year have been given the chance to attend a summer camp to help them cope with their loss.

Denisha and Cheyenne Steward, nine and seven, have the chance to play sports, do arts and crafts, put on stage shows, learn yoga and practise their circus skills at the Arts Experience workshops.

They will be coached and supervised by a range of professionals, who are all experts in their fields, for three week-long courses throughout July and August.

The girls, who began their first course this week, lost their mother last February after she died from an epileptic seizure in her sleep.

Denisha and her 13-year-old sister, Lovelle, tried to wake her up one morning, but could not rouse her.

They now live in Deansbrook Road with their aunt, Jennifer Stewart, who juggles full-time work and motherhood, and often struggles to find care for the children during school holidays.

Ms Stewart, 40, said: "This course has been a real help in keeping the girls' minds off what happened. They really love it, they think it is brilliant.

"They love drawing and painting, and are always so proud to bring their pictures home to show everyone.

"It has made a noticeable difference. They are much happier now."

Denisha added: "I've had lots of fun, especially using the face paints and stage make-up.

"I had a black eye and a nose bleed, and my aunt was really surprised because it looked so real."

The workshops, for children aged three to 12, are run by an independent company in The Mount School, in Milespit Hill, Mill Hill.

The course costs £140 a week, but the organisers, Lisa Adler and Georgina Swarc, approached bereavement charity Grief Encounter with their offer because they had always admired its work.

Ms Adler, 37, said: "We decided to make the offer because we know how painful it can be to lose a loved one, so we can't even begin to understand how terrible it must be for a child.

"We wanted to give something back, to help the children get through the pain and live life in the moment."

Vicky Baruch, spokeswoman for Grief Encounter, said: "The Arts Experience appealed to us because it is such a wonderful way for them to cope with their loss and spend time with other children their age."

Visit www.thearts-experience.com for more information about the workshops.