A woman who lost her brother through suicide is opening a bereavement centre in Aylesbury to help other struggling people.
Sue Hetherington, 61, of Wendover, has moved to open the Survivors of Bereavement By Suicide centre after she discovered the one she attended in Beaconsfield would be closing.
Mrs Hetherington said: “I’m taking on the group and bringing it to Aylesbury. Everyone who goes has lost a loved one to suicide. I think there’s an incredible need here in Aylesbury.
“It’s fantastic to have a safe environment where you can go along and talk to people.
“It can be really helpful to think you are doing something practical as well.”
She described it as ‘an absolute shattering experience’ when she discovered her younger brother John Busby, 46, had killed himself at his home in High Wycombe almost two years ago.
“I had absolutely no idea it was coming,” she said. “He had not got a partner or any close friends. I would love somebody to tell me why he did it but no one else can.”
After Mr Busby did not pick up his phone several times Mrs Hetherington rushed to his house with her husband and discovered him.
Mrs Hetherington said the trauma from the experience has never left her but that she is using it to help herself and others cope with their emotions.
“It’s extremely helpful to go into a room full of people who just know straight away what the issues are. It’s a horrible subject.”
The new centre will be a regional branch as part of the larger national charity and opens in June.
The national charity has a helpline which is open from 9am to 9pm everyday of the year and can be called on 0844 561 6855.