July 26th, 2018: Notes on a bridge

Undertoad • Jul 26, 2018 10:01 am
Image

The Wearmouth Bridge, Sunderland has a public health problem: jumpers. It has become notorious for suicides.

One young lady was moved to write notes and leave them on the bridge.

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Image

Paige Hunter posted 40 such messages. Northumbria Police have recognized her effort.

They are saying she's responsible for stopping 6 suicides.

One person whose life was saved by Paige’s notes told Sunderland Now that she is getting the help she now needs.

The mother, who chose to remain anonymous, said: "Depression is a hard thing to deal with and I felt so so alone that I went to Wearmouth bridge.

"All I needed was somebody to tell me it was going to be ok or for someone just to say 'when you feel like giving up just remember why you held on for so long. and that was my kids. That’s why I keep fighting every day to see them grow and Paige Hunter if it was not for you and what you did my boys would have had no one."


Image

link
lumberjim • Jul 26, 2018 11:34 am
tha'ss a good lass


and cute too
glatt • Jul 26, 2018 11:45 am
Bravo!
Clodfobble • Jul 26, 2018 12:41 pm
It's dusty in here.
blueboy56 • Jul 26, 2018 3:33 pm
Yes, Yes, Yes, thank you for being kind, considerate, loving and optimistic.

We need more of us to be like her.
Gravdigr • Jul 26, 2018 4:09 pm
Clodfobble;1012342 wrote:
It's dusty in here.


It is, a li'l bit.

[size=5];[/size]
Gravdigr • Jul 26, 2018 4:11 pm
Good I of the D, Bruce.

Thank you.
Undertoad • Jul 26, 2018 5:34 pm
(n.b. this one's mine, a rare thing, bruce is on vaca and i decided not to let iotd go without, at least on day one)
orthodoc • Jul 27, 2018 7:08 am
blueboy56;1012346 wrote:
We need more of us to be like her.


Agree. Powerful story. Thanks, UT.
Griff • Jul 27, 2018 7:18 am
6 saves, remarkable.
Gravdigr • Jul 27, 2018 2:50 pm
Undertoad;1012361 wrote:
(n.b. this one's mine, a rare thing, bruce is on vaca and i decided not to let iotd go without, at least on day one)


My apologies Toad, I'm so used to Bruce doing these, I assumed.

Good IOTD, Toad.

And thank you for posting it.:D
xoxoxoBruce • Aug 1, 2018 1:06 am
So now there are 6 more people on the Earth, somebody stop this woman or at least make her grow 6 peoples worth of food, or build six housing units. Image
Carruthers • Aug 1, 2018 6:40 am
Offered without comment...

Bridge signs to deter suicide ruled unsafe

Handwritten signs offering support to suicidal people have been removed from a bridge over concerns that they could distract drivers.

The notices were pinned to railings after a number of deaths. One said: “The world is a better place with you in it. Talk and let it out. You are so wanted and loved in every way.”

A council worker removed the signs from the Chartist Bridge in Blackwood, South Wales, prompting a backlash from members of the public, some of whom described the action as disgraceful.

Rebecca Emily Jones said: “Just keep putting them up. So sad they would think removing them is a good idea. They could save someone’s life.”

The bridge, which opened in 2005, has been the scene of multiple suicides, leading to calls for higher fencing and other safeguards.

One said: “The good point of this bridge it has good views, the bad points are I’ve lost count how many people have taken their lives on this bridge.

This bridge needs a higher fence to stop more lives being lost. Come on Caerphilly council, sort it out.”

The notes were inspired by the Bridge the Gap campaign started by Lisa Barnes, 46, after she stood on a bridge intending to take her life in Tameside, Greater Manchester.

David Poole, the leader of Caerphilly council, agreed that it was a sensitive issue, but said: “We cannot ignore illegal signs on the highway that could distract motorists.”

There were official Samaritans signs on the bridge, he added.


The Times
fargon • Aug 1, 2018 7:38 am
I guess there are pricks everywhere.
xoxoxoBruce • Aug 1, 2018 10:32 am
Yes, and the interwebs have allowed us to unite, given us power, Muhahahaha. :nadkick: