THE MOTHER of two young boys who were murdered by their father has become an ambassador for a domestic abuse charity in a bid to raise awareness and help make a difference to the lives of others.

Jack and Paul Sykes, 12 and nine, were killed in a house fire which was deliberately started by their father Darren Sykes.

He had lured them into the attic with promise of a new train set, setting fire to pools of petrol.

Sykes and Paul died in the fire. Jack died five days later, but was able to tell his rescuers that it was his father who had started the fire.

Since then, Claire Throssell, 46, of Penistone, has campaigned for changes to the laws surrounding children in family courts.

She has now joined the Independent Domestic Abuse Services (IDAS) Champions scheme, a network of inspiring people who support the work that IDAS does and look for opportunities to raise awareness in their communities.

The scheme was launched last year to increase public understanding of domestic abuse, and since then IDAS has trained more than 150 people to recognise the signs of domestic abuse, risk factors and what to do if you think someone might be affected.

Champions come from a range of backgrounds and include members of the community who want to make a difference, professionals, employers and survivors. The scheme has been embraced by organisations including York St John University, which has trained more than 60 staff and students and is rolling out the training in the next academic year.

Claire said: “Domestic abuse is a silent killer and it can often continue through children after separation. We live in a democracy that stands against oppression and fear yet that is exactly what victims of domestic abuse live with every day and many of the victims are also children. It must stop, and it must stop now. Because of this, I am very proud to support IDAS and will do all that I can to raise awareness about their services.”

IDAS is the largest specialist domestic abuse service in Yorkshire, supporting more than 5,000 families each year. It offers a whole-family approach working with parents and children to ensure families stay safe. Trained professionals provide support via a helpline, live chat, one to one support, and group work. IDAS also provides safe accommodation for people fleeing domestic abuse as well as early intervention and prevention work.

Sarah Hill, chef executive of IDAS, said: “It is a privilege to be working with Claire Throssell, whose bravery is an inspiration. Together we hope to increase the understanding of how dangerous domestic abuse can be.

“Tragically, Claire’s experiences are not isolated as many abusers continue the abuse through their children even after parents have separated. Whilst public awareness is increasing there is still work to be done to ensure that the warning signs are taken seriously, and children are adequately safeguarded.”