Loughinisland girl Sophie’s tribute to top friend

Loughinisland girl Sophie’s tribute to top friend

9 May 2012 - by David Telford

A LOUGHINISLAND teenager who lost her best friend to suicide is hoping to raise money for a support group set up to help those dealing with the trauma of losing a loved one.

Sophie Laird (18) has already raised £600 for suicide and self harm support group PIPS and hopes to add to that total over the next two weekends at the Carousel Bingo Club in Downpatrick.

Sophie’s friend Courtney Roddy died last November and the Loughinisland teenager wants to do all she can to support the work of PIPs which also aims to raise awareness and prevent suicide.

Her fundraising efforts over the next two Sundays are being organised in conjunction with her friends Orlaith Brannigan, Rachel Manley and Nikita Murray.

Courtney, a student at St. Colman’s High School in Ballynahinch who lived in Carryduff and was a classmate of Sophie’s, passed away last November.

The two had also been together at St. Colmcille’s High School in Crossgar before moving to St. Colman’s after they had completed their GCSEs.

Sophie continued: “Courtney and I became friends when we met in first year and we were together for six years. Her death left me devastated and after she had passed away I came across PIPS while surfacing the internet.

“She was my closest friend and that’s why I chose PIPS to benefit from the events my friends and I are organising. We already organised a non-uniform day at St. Colman’s which raised £600 and we hope that St. Colmcille’s will organise a similar event in support of the charity.”

The Loughinisland teenager said she “misses Courtney terribly,” describing her former classmate as her best friend.

“Courtney’s death shocked us all and we all miss her very much,” Sophie continued.

Over the next two Sundays Carousel Bingo is organising special events to raise money for PIPS and a number of prizes will be up for grabs. Sophie said she is pleased the bingo hall where she works is supporting her fundraising initiative.

While the teenager hasn’t set herself a target, she hopes local people will help her raise lots of money for what she describes as a “very worthy cause.”

People attending bingo sessions over the next two Sundays can pay £2 for a special fundraising flyer with prizes up for grabs including fuel, meat, clothing, beauty vouchers and many more.

Sophie would also welcome donations from local businesses and anyone wishing to make a donation can contact her at Carousel Bingo, telephone (028) 4483 9003.