A DUNBAR mother has raised more than £1,000 for charity in memory of her teenage daughter who took her own life.
Severine (Sevy) Lemoine-McGinnes, 45, organised a raffle in aid of Seasons for Growth and Musselburgh-based Bridges Project following the death of her daughter, Niamh Lemoine-Drever, on January 19, 2020.
Sevy, of the town’s Rigg Park, said: “My heart breaks every single day. Niamh was my amazing daughter.”
She said that the raffle, which took place on February 1, was “brilliantly supported” with donations of prizes and ticket purchases, adding: “I only asked 50p per ticket in these difficult times.”
She raised a total of £1,125, £845 of which will go to the Bridges Project and £280 to Season for Growth, a programme for those who have experienced significant change or loss.
Sevy explained that Niamh (pictured below), a former Dunbar Grammar School pupil who was 17 when she died, had been a client of the Bridges Project, which had supported her “in ways that no other medical organisation could”.
She said: “She was very fond of her counsellor there, who she felt comfortable speaking with – which was rare for her.
“It was a no-brainer to me that this well-deserving charity benefited from any funds I could raise.
“I would encourage anyone else who is looking for a charity to support to consider them. They look after so many young people in a huge range of ways and with multiple kinds of need.”
Sevy, a medical receptionist at Gullane Medical Practice, added: “Niamh suffered with depression and really struggled for years.
“She tried to get help but in the end the weight of her pain was too much for her to carry and she took an overdose.
“She was in cardiac arrest in an ambulance outside my home for over three hours but survived another three days in hospital before the life support was switched off and she died.
“When she was able, she used to be an Irish dancer and found great solace in this beautiful sport.
Niamh Lemione-Drever had a passion for Irish dancing
“She danced to a high level and has a room full of trophies.
“She said that it was the only time she really felt happy but nearer the end even that became too much for her.
“My beautiful girl was a tortured soul and her loss weighs so heavily on myself and our family and friends. She is out of pain now but we never will be.”
Sevy also described her daughter as a “fierce advocate” for LGBTQ and women’s rights.
Simen Holm, fundraiser at the Bridges Project, said: “We are touched by the fact that Sevy has organised this raffle to raise funds for Bridges Project and the amazing £845 she has raised for us is truly impressive.
“The donation will go directly to the young people we work with and will have a significant impact on their lives.
“This is a great way to honour Niamh’s memory.”
Sevy, who plans to continue raising funds for the Bridges Project, also urged young people to get help if needed.
She said: “So many young people are in an epidemic of mental health issues and they need to know that they must seek help when they are struggling.
“They can go to a GP or contact multiple charities, including but not limited to the likes of Childline [on 0800 1111].”
- For confidential, non-judgemental emotional support, day or night, call the Samaritans free on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or visit www.samaritans.org
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