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Fulwood woman’s loved ones set up foundation for suicide prevention in young people

Posted on - 12th May, 2022 - 7:00pm | Author - | Posted in - Charities, Fulwood, Health, Kid's stuff, Preston News, Proud Preston, What's On in Preston
Mary O'Gara
Mary’s loved ones say she was ‘truly amazing and unique’

Loved ones of Fulwood woman Mary O’Gara have set up a non-profit organisation in her memory.

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The Mary O’Gara Foundation is dedicated to suicide prevention in young people.

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Since Mary’s death in May 2020, her family and friends have made it their mission to raise awareness around mental health and the stigma attached to suicide.

Mary was 27 and working for the NHS as a trainee nursing associate when she died.

A spokesperson for Mary’s family said: “Mary suffered from depression, a disease that was trying to hold her back at every turn – yet she managed to excel in her work and education, still managed to keep a loyal group of friends and was the most amazing daughter, sister, auntie and girlfriend – but in the end it robbed her of her ability to live life how she wanted.

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“The fact that she was loved, admired and adored by everyone she met whilst carrying this burden is testament to just what a wonderful young woman she was.”

Mary O'Gara
Mary’s loved ones are raising awareness of mental health and asking people to ‘look beyond the smile’

The Foundation is planning to fund suicide prevention training for members of staff in every high school in Preston to help address the statistic that shows four school children a week in the UK are lost to suicide.

Read more: UCLan psychologist’s ‘Science of Superheroes’ guide to boost children’s wellbeing

Current fundraising activities include a raffle with over 140 prizes, many of which were donated by local businesses.

Meanwhile Mary’s friend Nick Davis will be running 30 miles to mark Mary’s 30th birthday. He will wear a weighted vest to represent the strain that poor mental health puts on people.

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Read more: The Penwortham man encouraging others to open up about their mental health

Nick will set off from Deborah Avenue in Fulwood on the morning of Saturday 28 May and finish at The Sherwood pub, where a Family Fun Day will be taking place.

The free event will include food, face painting, music and games, and will take place from 1pm to 5pm.

To find out more, visit The Mary O’Gara Foundation website or follow @themaryogarafoundation on Instagram.


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