A Newcastle marina worker who has helped the emergency services search for missing people in the River Tyne is organising a moving display on the Quayside.
Mia Davison, who works in admin and maintenance St Peter's Marina, is putting together a 'floating exhibition' that will see around 20 boats sail along the River Tyne. The event, which is set to mark World Suicide Prevention Day on Saturday, September 10, aims to raise awareness of mental health and how people can help loved ones who are struggling.
Spectators will be able to see the procession set off from St Peter's Marina at noon and have a closer look at the boats when they arrive at Newcastle City Marina underneath the Tyne Bridge at 1.30pm. The exhibition will feature music and poetry, as well as talks from mental health charities including If U Care Share.
Mia said that she knows from her harrowing experience carrying out searches with the emergency services, that sadly more people are affected by suicide than people might realise.
“There will be around 15 to 20 boats going up the river to attract the public’s attention and then we will tie up at Newcastle City Marina underneath the Tyne Bridge and invite the public to come and see the exhibition,” she said.
“Artists are creating banners and flags which will be projected onto the boats and we’re building a stage for music, poetry and we will also have talks from some of the CEOs of the charities who will explain what they do to help prevent suicide attempts and support families who are affected. Sadly, it happens more than you think.”
Dan Hansom, from company Hansom and Noble, will be filming the event which he hopes will be later shown in a gallery.
“It’ll be a great spectacle to see all the boats on the river, but they will also carry a very serious message," he said.
"Mental health has been a big passion of mine through personal, family and friends experiences and I think we need to bring everybody together and show the kind of positive force that there is in Newcastle. As well as filming the event we are currently negotiating with a gallery space so that we can show the film after the event and keep the day’s important legacy running for weeks to come.”
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