Campaign to install positive signs on Heywood Bridge

A Heywood woman has started a campaign to install permanent signs on a Heywood bridge, to help other people in times of crisis.

Standing above one of Heywood’s most popular parks, Queen’s Park Bridge has, for some people, become a place turned to as a last resort.

Local businesswoman Rachel Avellanet, who briefly went missing in September, hopes that messages on the bridge will encourage other people to seek help.

She said: “I have set up a fundraiser page to to raise money for permanent signs for Queen’s Park bridge.

“This is very important to me because I have battled with mental health for many years now and this week was one of the worst episodes I've had where I had nearly lost my life.”

As a result, Rachel, who is currently receiving treatment in hospital, launched Queen’s Park Bridge Notes on 21 September to decorate the bridge with positive messages to help prevent suicide.

Positive messages and Samaritans helpline details on brightly coloured pieces of card have since been tied to the bridge by local police, the Friends of Queen’s Park and Rochdale Borough Council with equally bright ribbon to stand out.

Rachel added: “This is a known bridge for people wanting to end their lives. I have been in the same place as these people but luckily, I'm still here to share my story.

“I'm aiming for these messages to be made more permanent. We're hoping with some of these notes being up if even one person reads them, they may think twice about what they are doing and seek help.”

Some of the messages that have been tied onto the bridge read: “Be strong. Things will get better, it may be stormy now, but it never rains forever” and “I hope you live a life you are proud of. If you find you are not, I hope you have the strength to start over.”

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: “We are hoping that some of these messages will help and show there is support out there regardless of how today feels.”

Councillor Neil Emmott, cabinet member for environment at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Greater Manchester Police asked if we would allow them to place notes with supportive messages and contact details for the Samaritans on Queen’s Park bridge as part of a really worthwhile campaign to support people who are in need of help.

"We are more than happy to support this important cause and have committed some funding for the project. We hope that these important messages of hope help people and I would urge anyone who is struggling to contact the Samaritans by phoning 116 123 or texting 07725 909 090.”

Support Rachel

To donate towards permanent signs onto Queen’s Park Bridge, visit:

https://www.gofundme.com/queensparkbridgenotes

 

If you’re feeling troubled, help is available

Samaritans – for everyone

Call 116 123 – 24 hours a day

Email jo@samaritans.org

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – for men

Call 0800 58 58 58 – 5pm to midnight every day

Visit the webchat page – 5pm to midnight every day

Papyrus – for people under 35

Call 0800 068 41 41 – Monday to Friday 10am to 10pm, weekends 2pm to 10pm, bank holidays 2pm to 5pm

Text 07786 209697

Email pat@papyrus-uk.org

Childline – for children and young people under 19

Call 0800 1111 – the number won't show up on your phone bill – 24 hours a day

The Silver Line – for older people

Call 0800 4 70 80 90 – 24 hours a day