'Losing someone to suicide is very lonely'

A woman whose father took his own life has set up a support group for others in the same situation because she feels it causes a particularly "lonely" form of grief.

Corrina Danby, 43, from Boldon Colliery in South Tyneside, lost her father Colin Watling a year ago.

She founded the group Colin's Corner which currently has ten members and would like to reach more.

"This form of grief can be a very lonely place," Ms Danby said. "I want people to know that we are here to help and we can support those who need it."

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Mr Watling, who sang in local pubs and clubs around the north-east of England under the pseudonym Charlie King for more than three decades, was 65 when he died.

Ms Danby said he was a "one off" who loved to sing.

"He silently battled with mental health problems for years, but I still can't explain the shock we had when he died," she said.

Ms Danby took a counselling and suicide prevention course with the Learning Curve Group because she wanted to learn how to support others.

"It helped me with my own grief," she said. "I was in a dark place."

She feels she now knows how to listen and help sign people towards the correct support.

The group meets weekly at Boldon Independent Methodist Church with the aim of getting people to talk rather than "bottling" their emotions.

"The reaction has been amazing and it's great to be able to meet others who have experienced this as we can help each other through it," Ms Danby said.

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