FAMILY, friends and supporters turned out to enjoy a day-long music festival to support the charity I’m George’s Mate.
In addition to dozens of performers taking to two stages, there were a host of stalls and other activities during the event, dubbed George’s Friend Fest, which was staged at The Hub, Barnard Castle.
I’m George’s Mate was established by the friends and family of teenager George Rabbett-Smith, of Bowes, who attempted to take his own life on June 4 last year.
George, 18, is in a state of prolonged disorder of consciousness in Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary, having recovered from a bout of pneumonia.
His mum, Hilary, said a music festival was a fitting way to raise both awareness of suicide prevention among young people and raise funds for the charity.
“George loves his music and because it is a young people’s charity aimed at young people we thought a music festival would be entirely appropriate,” she said.
Money raised by the charity will be used to provide a peer support programme which will be introduced in schools.
In addition to the music festival and other fundraising efforts since the charity was established last year, I’m George’s Mate has also received £5,000 through a scheme run by Primula Cheese, which Ms Rabbett described as “incredible”.
She said the money raised would be spent on developing an accredited course in mental health awareness and suicide prevention aimed at teenagers aged 14-18.
“It would be offered at no cost to schools,” she added.
“We also plan to teach young people to offer peer support and that involves training.”
Ms Rabbett said a similar scheme had proved to successful in the USA.
The final aim of the charity is to pay for young, appropriately qualified, people to take on the role of mental health advocates and counselling, the idea being youngsters would be able to relate to them.
Ms Rabbett said the charity had received tremendous support in staging the music festival.
“We have got an impressive line-up, some local and some better known.
“At the moment we are trying to do an event every couple of months and we are hoping George’s Friend Fest will be an annual festival.
“We have already got interest from acts for next year.”
To find out more about the charity, go to imgeorgesmate. weebly.com.
Anyone struggling with mental health issues or suicidal thoughts can contact the Samaritans on 116123.
