THE WIFE of a suicide victim has held out a heart-rending hand to help the family of people who have taken their own life.

Patricia Armstrong, 62, from Carlisle, lost her husband Neil ,43, four and a half years ago after being married for only eight weeks.

Now she's fundraising for the Cumbrian charity Suicide Bereavement Support (SBS).

Patricia's organised a motown and soul music night at Upperby Men's Institute, on Lamb Street, Carlisle, on Saturday, February 22 and has so far raised over £1,000 for the charity.

The grandmother-of-five said: "It will be five years this August. He had a stroke that he could not cope with anymore.

"He was paralysed down one side, he thought it would be easier for me if he left but it's not, I want to have him here.

"It affects you in a different way to any other bereavement.

"The way I see it now they are at rest but not the people left behind who have to deal with it."

The charity meet once month for two hours to speak about their experiences.

Patricia added: "I started going to the group and the support SBS gave to me was second to none. If people have been affected by suicide they can get all the help the need from the group, from things like inquests to how they are going to manage in the years ahead.

"It is my time to give them something back and help keep the group going.

"There is a suicide every week in Cumbria. I see people coming in and how traumatised they are at the beginning - people who need that help should get in touch."

Organiser of the Carlisle branch of the group Sharon Tweedie, said: "The shock is massive and it takes a long time to come to terms with. "There is help out there so try and reach out for whatever support you can get.

"Talking is a massive help - there is still a taboo around things like suicide when it comes to families."

Tickets for the event cost £3 are still available at the door though they are selling out fast.

The charity also has groups in Whitehaven, Kendal and Barrow.

Anyone that needs information, or would like to contribute, go online to sbs.org.uk