Greater Manchester fire engines branded to support suicide prevention campaign

GREATER Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) is supporting a campaign to prevent suicide.

Offerton and Stockport community fire stations have joined forces with Stockport Samaritans to share important messages around suicide prevention.

Members of the public will see two GMFRS fire engines branded with important information, including the all-important free helpline number for Samaritans – 116 123.

Suicide is responsible for over 800,000 deaths, which equates to one suicide every 40 seconds. For each suicide approximately 135 people suffer intense grief or are otherwise affected. In turn this results in 108 million people per year who are profoundly impacted by suicidal behaviour.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service’s Health and Social Care Coordinator, Paula Breeze said: “Suicide impacts Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service GMFRS in so many different ways.

“Many of us have lost friends, colleagues and loved ones.

“As a fire and rescue service we also attend incidents involving suicides and attempted suicides. We have a valuable role to play in our communities and you don’t need to be a health professional to help prevent suicide.”

Samaritans are the only organisation who are open 24 hours, 365 days a year to take all forms of communication from people who are struggling and distressed.

Every six seconds Samaritans respond to a call and this year Stockport Samaritans are celebrating their 40th year of listening. They have over 90 volunteers and it costs £20,000 per year to keep their branch running – which they have to fundraise themselves.

Director of Stockport Samaritans, Tracey Murray said: “The branding on the two fire engines will raise so much awareness and we couldn’t be more pleased that GMFRS agreed to work with us on this project.”

15/08/2019 11:32 AM