10 March 2023 , 13:25
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A mum who lost two of her children to suicide is organising a memorial quilt to help with "healing" and give other bereaved Brits a chance to "talk about their loved one".
Tracey Beadle, from County Durham, has dedicating her time to helping other families who have lost loved ones to suicide after her daughter Quinn, 17, and son Dyllon, 21, took their own lives within months of each other.
She and fellow mum Suzanne Howes, whose son Samuel took his own life aged 17, are creating a suicide memorial quilt in the North East, reported ChronicleLive.
The quilt will be made up of individual fabrics squares, each one crafted by those bereaved by suicide, representing and honouring their loved ones who have died.
Quinn Beadle took her own life at the age of 17 (Mirrorpix)
Dyllon Beadle, died 10 months after his sister Quinn (Mirrorpix)Tracey said: "The idea is anyone connected to the North East has a patch of fabric that you could draw on, sew on or you could get a picture put on it, something to symbolise your loved one.
'I lost my son to suicide and my hubby has months to live - every day counts'
"We will then make it into a banner and it will be on display in Newcastle and tour the North East. We envisage a powerful artwork that will take centre stage in our region and provoke thought and be a catalyst for conversations and raise awareness about suicide."
People can either ask for fabric to be sent to them, or the pair are organising workshops in Darlington, Durham, Newcastle and Sunderland for people to create their squares.
Tracey, who opened a retreat to help families impacted by suicide in Barnard Castle, said: "We hope it will bring about healing and making the square will allow them to talk about their loved one.
Dyllon and Quinn pictured together as children (Mirrorpix)"We envisage 10 to 15 people coming along and some people have never talked about their loved one in this way before."
It follows in the footsteps of a landmark project in Greater Manchester and Yorkshire, entitled 'Speak Their Name', which saw 54 unique squares created in a quilt.
Tracey added: "Our project is both a suicide prevention and postvention initiative. Suicide loss is traumatic, isolating and leaves heartbreak in its wake.
"We know people bereaved by suicide are at higher risk of suicide themselves. Additionally, the latest national data tells us that the North East has the highest suicide rate in the UK."
Anyone who would like to contribute a square to the quilt can visit visit here for more information.