Lucy Herd’s heart ‘broke into a million pieces’ when tragedy struck after her son, Jack, drowned in a garden pond just two weeks before his second birthday. She then found that her husband at the time could only take three days’ paid leave and one of these had to be for the funeral.

Lucy, from Wokingham, who has two other sons, Josh and Noah, and a daughter, Elle, started Jack’s Rainbow, a charity to help families suffering from the loss of a child.

In a new video, which has gone viral since its release in the run-up to Mother’s Day, she says: “My world crumbled on that day and my heart broke into a million pieces.

“Did you know you can have up to 12 months off work for the birth of a child but only three days to grieve?

“I’m asking David Cameron, Ed Miliband and Nick Clegg for help. Please extend and legislate bereavement leave for the death of a child to four weeks’ paid leave.

“Help mothers on this Mother’s Day grieve for a longer time than three days.” At the moment, there is no statutory requirement for parents to be entitled to more than three days’ leave after the death of a child. Parents may be entitled to time off for dependants but this must be reasonable and sufficient. There is no guidance how long is deemed to be sufficient to process the death of a child.

Mothers Day Wish Lucy’s marriage broke down after Jack died as do many marriages after the death of a child.

The charity was formed to pay for a holiday home for families that have lost a child to make happy new memories. She is hoping to raise £40,000 this year.

In 2013, a petition set up by Lucy gained more than 100,000 signatures, meaning the Government had to respond. It said: “The death of a family member is deeply upsetting for those involved and the Government would expect any employer to respond to such situations with sensitivity and flexibility.

“However, the Government believes that all requests for leave related to bereavement are best left for employers and their employees to decide between themselves.” To support Lucy’s campaign, sign her latest petition at www.jacksrainbow.com