Fifth annual service to remember suicide victims.
The fifth annual service to remember those who have lost their lives to suicide in Renfrewshire will be held on Tuesday 21 January.
The ceremony will take place at council HQ in Cotton Street, Paisley, where there is a memorial tree for victims of suicide.
The event is being organised by the Renfrewshire support group, Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS), and will be attended by Renfrewshire’s Provost Anne Hall.
The service will be led by Reverend Alan Birss of Paisley Abbey and Father John Tormey of St Mirin’s Cathedral.
Provost Hall said: “This annual event is a worthy cause which we are happy to be able to support. I would like to extend the invite to any local people who wish to join us on the day.
“Suicide can affect people of all ages and backgrounds and there are various groups which can offer help. This occasion offers support to those who have lost loved ones and, crucially, highlights the help that is in place to prevent suicide.
“Talking about problems can save lives and there are plenty of people and organisations where individuals or their families and friends can talk and get help.”
Friends and relatives should meet from 3.15pm on Tuesday 21 January in the marriage suite to collect a commemorative purple heart on which they can write a message for their loved one.
At 3.45pm, there will be a procession to the tree, where the Provost will lay a wreath and light the tree, after which visitors can place purple hearts on the tree.
Afterwards, all attending are invited to join the Provost for refreshments in Paisley Abbey.
The event is being supported by Choose Life, the national strategy to prevent suicide in Scotland.
Anyone wanting more information on the Renfrewshire meetings of SOBS, can call Choose Life’s Young Person’s Resource Worker Lisa Jane Aitken on 0141 849 2200, or email elizabeth.aitken@renfrewshire.
The national helpline Breathing Space can be reached on 0800 83 85 87, and the number for The Samaritans is 08457 90 90 90.