THE FAMILY and friends of a Thornbury woman, who ended her young life last summer, will break the silence surrounding suicide and depression during an overnight stroll held in her memory.
Catherine Pinnock, the sister of Frankie Warren, who was found dead in a woodland in Sedgley on June 1, is urging townspeople and campaigners to join her and her relatives for the Out of the Darkness walk from midnight to sunrise on November 23.
The 12-mile moonlit amble will not only be an opportunity for many to pay homage to the young woman’s life but to lift the veil over one of society’s biggest taboo : suicide.
Catherine’s parents Kieran and Marjorie, and sister Nicola, 32, will stand by her side making their way through the night for their late child. Frankie’s other sibling Jack, 24, who is currently in Australia, will be with the family in spirit.
They are hoping to collect £2,500 for suicide prevention charity PAPYRUS.
“The walk is to bring the issues of suicide, depression, and mental disorders into the spotlight,” said Catherine, 30, from Yate. “I wanted to raise awareness and help others. Suicide is 100 per cent preventable.
“The walk is called Out of the Darkness. It will start at midnight and finish during sunrise. It will represent coming through dark times and the hope at the end when the sun rises.”
She added: “A suicide attempt happens every minute of every day. These statistics are staggering and yet remain hidden and not discussed. This is the road to a future where no one has to suffer in silence.
“My sister is just one face of suicide. Frances is not a statistic she was a daughter, a sister, an aunty, a grand-daughter a niece and she was loved by so many.”
Fundraisers will light a candle at Christ the King Church and pray for Frankie before setting off for Oldbury.
The walkers will cross Tockington and return to Thornbury, where they will stop for a well-deserved breakfast at Shelley’s Café.
Frankie was 26 years old when she went missing on May 29. A major police search was launched to locate her.
A Facebook page set up just hours after her disappearance was inundated with concerned messages and moving pleas for her safe return.
To take part or make a donation visit http://www.justgiving.com/Catherine-Pinnock
To find out more about the work of charity PAPYRUS go on www.papyrus-uk.org
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