Nearly three years ago Heidi Michelsen lost her 16-year-old daughter in a terrible road crash. Only months after Amber Bridges’s death, while still fraught with grief, Ms Michelsen took the first step towards transforming that loss into something positive: she went back to school.

Amber grew up surrounded by animals and often joked that she preferred being with them over people. Ms Michelsen decided to find a way to use them to help people who were suffering.

“Our animals helped us through some really hard things in our life,” she said. “I became certified in animal assisted therapy through Harcum College and I began to develop a plan to help those through trauma and grief and whatever life throws at us.”

It’s how the charity Amber’s Wings was born. Ms Michelsen is to start with horses – giving children who otherwise would not have the opportunity, the chance to ride.

Her dream is to develop it into an “holistic programme” with transportation from school to the Amber’s Wings barn.

Open to students between the ages of 5 and 18, it will provide homework tutoring, career guidance and PE lessons.

Students will also learn animal husbandry and have access to mentors, therapists and social workers.

At the end of each day they will be taken home with a full dinner.

“Once they’re home it’s family time and that's all that they and their parents need to concentrate on. So it's kind of a community away from home where they feel safe and protected.

“It's going to be a really expensive charity to run but I fully believe in it. And I have had the opportunity to meet so many people who understand it and agree with it and are looking forward to seeing it unfold,” Ms Michelsen said.

Efforts are now being made to find a suitable base for Amber’s Wings.

“In the interim, I just want to get this started and bring this healing to as many people as possible.

“So we're just going to fundraise and be a mobile charity for now, until we can get as much as we need to develop a property and have a home for this,” she said.

Amber was riding her motorbike on May 30, 2021 when she was involved in a collision on South Road near the Fairmont Southampton.

A charity seemed the best way for Ms Michelsen to cope, and to keep her daughter’s spirit alive.

“It helps me when I help other people – I don't know if it's just easier to deal with other people's [problems] instead of my own but it's just always who I've been,” she said.

“The pain of losing a child is inexplicable. There have been so many things that have happened in Bermuda on the roads and I always thought I would never be able to survive if I lost my children.

“My children were my entire world; all I ever wanted to be was a mother. And then all of a sudden I found myself in the exact same predicament.”

Life became very different after Amber’s death. Her brother Lucas, who was 20 at the time, was “for ever changed” by it.

It struck Ms Michelsen that there were likely many other children “going through things that they can’t talk about; that they can't find their way through” and how beneficial it was for her each day to get on Amber’s horse Rush, and ride.

“The only time during the day that I can actually forget for a little while, or at least breathe a deep breath is when I'm with him.

“I just thought, these animals are so powerful. I just want to be able to give people the chance to heal and find the unconditional love and protection that I feel.

“Equestrianism is an extremely expensive sport. So many people will never get the experience, the chance to be involved.

“We were always the poor people at the barn, but our horses were [our] happy place and a constant, no matter what we were going through.

“Amber always used to say, ‘We're so lucky. I wish everybody had this opportunity.’ And I thought well, I'm going to just try to bring it to everybody that I possibly can so that they feel what we've had the privilege to feel all these years.”

At the moment two horses are at the ready but Ms Michelsen would eventually like to include dogs, cats, chickens, goats “and everything under the sun”.

“That would be my ultimate dream but at the moment, it's taken more of an equine therapy direction.”

She is hoping to partner with local charities with a similar remit as a way of reaching as many needy children and families as possible.

“It doesn't have to be trauma like I have, but we all have trauma at some point in our lives that animals can heal.”

A soft launch is planned for March. Ms Michelsen, who works full time, is hoping to cater to about 21 students with the help of mental health therapists.

“We’re doing this for free, pro bono, just so that we can record data, show results, get people behind us,” she said. “So it will be on a part-time basis for now. We'll continue our fundraising, but I'm absolutely sure that we'll get the buy-in and we will get what we need to make this a fully functioning charity.

“It’s a labour of love and I don't have a minute to myself, but it's healing for me. I have an amazing team of people around me.

“I have so much support – so many people who believe in this, who believe in me, who loved Amber and would do anything to help make anything successful in her name.

“I’m so thankful for everyone who has reached out and who has assisted me thus far and I look forward to making many more connections and helping those that deserve it that are in need.”

• A fundraising golf tournament planned for Amber’s Wings on February 24 at Port Royal Golf Course is fully subscribed. A Kentucky Derby party is to take place at Bella Vista Bar & Grill in March. For more information or to donate or sponsor, visitwww.amberswings.net. Amber’s Wings is also on Instagram and Facebook