Camilla helps self-harm charity in groom's name (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Camilla helps self-harm charity in groom's name

A CHARITY struggling to support people who self harm has been stunned by a donation from Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, in memory of former client Fiona Gale, who took her own life last year.

Ms Gale, of Anthony Close, Sherston, who was 29 when she died on a railway line last March, was a passionate horsewoman and helped the Duchess's grooms with her horses as a teenager.

Her mother, Barbara Gale, a reporter for BBC Radio Wiltshire, said: "It was a completely private gift. Obviously I am very pleased that Camilla remembered Fiona from all those years ago and that she was kind enough to send a donation.

"Fiona would have been thrilled to have known she was remembered and would also be delighted for the opportunity it gives to highlight the work of Project Spear."

Mrs Gale said she hoped this would increase understanding of self harm, which was not about attention seeking."

Her daughter's life was blighted by physical and emotional anguish and she contacted a small Swindon charity, called Project Spear, seeking help and support.

Project Spear director Sue Ozolins said: "We worked with her through our postal service. She was a client.

"We lost touch when she went into hospital and didn't hear anymore until Fiona's mother called us and told us what had happened.

"I do feel we let her down. We just don't have enough money or resources to do more."

Camilla's donation arrived, unannounced, in the post last week and Ms Ozolins said she was very surprised.

"I'm always stunned to get any donation but to receive one from the Duchess was amazing and I am quite proud.

"The donation was made in memory of Fiona.

"Fiona's family have asked us to use her story to change people's attitude towards self harming."

Ms Ozolins said they needed funding to extend their service and to train people to take the message out to other agencies.

Ms Gale suffered serious health problems since the age of four. Her mental health began to suffer eighteen months before her death and she took to deliberately self-harming in a bid to alleviate her anguish.

At an inquest earlier this year, a jury heard how she was released from hospital even though she warned she would take her life.

Ms Ozolins said self-harming was widely misunderstood, and often a taboo subject with health professionals. Project Spear is the only charity in Wiltshire dedicated to supporting sufferers and it has only one full time employee. It relies on donations, sponsored events and grants.

Ms Ozolins "Self harming is a coping mechanism, no different from abusing alcohol or drugs."

Anyone wishing to contact Project Spear should call (01793) 520111 or visit www.projectspear.com.

Another Project Spear website, www.acceptadapttraining.co.uk, was dedicated to Ms Gale.

A friend of Ms Gale's is planning a trek in the Great Rift Valley in Kenya to raise money in her memory.

Jeremy Bond, 30, of London Road, Sherston, wants to raise money for the mental health charity MIND.

Mr Bond, who has also suffered from alcoholism and a bipolar personality, is aiming to raise £2,700 by August 24 next year for the 2007 trip.