Wolverhampton mayor’s appeal for online auction bids
The Mayor of Wolverhampton is appealing for more people to take part in her annual online charity auction, which is raising money for the city’s Suicide Prevention Stakeholder Forum – one of her two chosen charities.
Councillor Claire Darke’s auction follows the news that suicide rates in Wolverhampton have reduced to their lowest levels for nearly a decade.
Wolverhampton’s Suicide Prevention Stakeholder Forum is working hard to raise awareness of preventing suicide and the importance of good mental health, and so far this year Councillor Darke has raised around £13,000 for it and her other charity, the University of Wolverhampton Alumni Mayoral Scholarship Fund.
While the number of people dying by suicide increased by around 12 per cent nationally between 2017 and 2018, in the same period the number of suicides in Wolverhampton reduced by 40 per cent, from 25 in 2017 to 15 in 2018.
Both nationally and locally, the majority of suicides were men, while the most common age group for suicides was between 45 and 49 among both men and women.
The mayor’s online auction runs until Sunday, December 8, and up for grabs are designer watches, iPhone and Samsung smartphones and an Amazon fire tablet.
Other items people can bid on include a signed Wolves FC shirt, a season ticket for two people to Wolves Speedway, a painted ‘mini Wolf’ from the Wolves in Wolves public art event, discounted Grand Theatre pantomime tickets and a luxury hamper from Tony’s Deli.
Councillor Darke said: “I really hope people get bidding to help me raise as much as possible for two very worthwhile local good causes in Wolverhampton Suicide Prevention and the university scholarship fund.
“We have some amazing lots to suit all budgets and interests and they would make some wonderful Christmas gifts.
“We’ve made it easier than ever for people to bid by hosting the auction on eBay this year.”
Wolverhampton’s Suicide Prevention Stakeholder Forum provides a multi-agency approach to suicide prevention across Wolverhampton. Its new chairwoman Clare Dickens was selected in May.
Samaritans’ Wolverhampton provides confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which could lead to suicide. However, many of its calls are not about suicide, but from people who feel upset or confused and want to talk to someone.
For help and support, they can be contacted on 01902 426422 or free on 116 123, or at their office at 54 Newhampton Road West, by email on jo@samaritans.org or online at samaritans.org
Wolverhampton Healthy Minds, which supplies psychological therapies for people experiencing depression, anxiety and stress, can be contacted on 0800 923 0222 or 01902 441856 or by visiting wolverhamptonhealthyminds.nhs.uk
To view the lots in the auction and place a bid visit wolverhampton.gov.uk/mayorsauction
