"You are loved more than you know" - Tributes to suicide prevention campaigner Lara Kynvin
Tributes have been paid to a passionate campaigner for suicide prevention who has died.
Portsmouth’s Lara Kynvin was the project lead in the city’s participation of the recent Baton of Hope Tour - the UK’s biggest ever suicide prevention initiative which tours the country with participants taking a special baton through towns and cities. She played a key part in bringing it to Portsmouth in September.
She has also helped to organise a number of suicide prevention initiatives in the city, promoting organisations which offer to support for those feeling low.
Lara’s death on Friday has resulted in an outpouring of tributes on social media, with the Portsmouth Baton of Hope group saying there were ‘no words to express our shock, sorrow, and heartbreak for our dear friend Lara’.
In a statement, Baton of Hope expressed its deepest condolences to her friends and family.
It said: “All of us here at the charity are devastated to have lost such a passionate campaigner for suicide prevention. Lara was a warm and engaging woman who lead the Portsmouth team for the city’s leg of this years Tour.
“Despite her inner torment she generated hope and light and she lived to help others. After witnessing the Baton’s visit to Brighton in 2023 Lara was determined to see Portsmouth included as part of the following tour two years later.
“We hope her loved ones can take some comfort in the fact that she lived to see her dream become a reality. We cannot express just how much we will miss her and we echo the sentiments she often shared with others: “Please never suffer alone. You are loved more than you know."
If you've been affected and bereaved by suicide, Cruse is a dedicated service providing free and confidential support across Portsmouth, Southampton, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Call 0330 555 0129, or visit supportaftersuicideship.org.uk
If you need urgent help with your mental health, there is free support available 24/7 from:
- Samaritans - call 116 123 or email [email protected]. Anyone can contact Samaritans FREE any time from any phone on 116 123, even a mobile without credit. This number won’t show up on your phone bill. Or you can [email protected] or visit www.samaritans.org
- Shout - text HANTS to 85258
- NHS - call 111 and select the mental health option, or in an emergency, call 999