I dedicate award to daughter in heaven
Citizen of year is mum behind inspirational charity
An Ayrshire mum has dedicated a community award to her tragic daughter and“all those precious souls lost to suicide.”
Pauline Moriarty has been named Troon’s Citizen of the Year after her inspirational charity work in memory of her daughter Jenna Moriarty, who took her own life, aged only 13.
The Kilmarnock mum, now living in Troon, founded charity Beautiful Inside & Out following her daughter’s shock death in November 2013.
Pauline, a teacher at Barassie Primary School, chose the powerful name of the charity after she told daughter Jenna that she was “beautiful inside and out,” when Jenna told her of the awful things that had happened to her at school, just days before she tragically ended her life.
Now more than 10 years on, the charity has gone from strength-to-strength, organising and funding counselling and therapy sessions to help those suffering with their mental health.
That good work has also been carried on by Jenna’s sister Sophie, 15, who has made a huge contribution to the charity by fundraising, singing at charity gigs and making and selling things at craft fayres.
And the Marr College pupil was awarded with the first ever Troon Junior Citizen of the Year Award for her incredible efforts.
On receiving the Troon Community Council award, Pauline told The Post : “I am so overwhelmed by the kindness of everyone involved in Troon Community Council, in nominating and awarding me this wonderful award. It was such a lovely surprise as I do not see myself as exceptional.
“Receiving an award for carrying out the work of my precious daughter’s legacy is such an honour and I dedicate this award to my daughter in heaven, Jenna and all those precious souls lost to suicide.
“I founded Beautiful Inside & Out SCIO - borne out of the devastating loss by suicide of my beautiful, altruistic, compassionate, hilarious, intelligent 13 year old daughter, Jenna - so that all of our pain would not be for nothing.
“I had told Jenna that she was beautiful inside and out when she had told me about some of the awful things that had been happening to her to make her feel so sad and together we had planned to improve things for her at school, but two days later, Jenna came home from school and ended her precious life.
“I decided that I could either lay down and die or I could do something to prevent others from suffering this pain, so I founded the charity so that other families bereaved by the loss of a loved one by suicide, or by any other means, would be supported.”
The charity has made a difference in
Jenna’s name by delivering awarenessraising presentations in schools, universities and workplaces, with their team of counsellors and therapists praised for saving lives.
Pauline, 55, said: “These people inspire me to keep helping people. We organise and fund counselling, play therapy, music/ drama therapy, art therapy and group sessions.
“Thank you to everyone involved in the work of Beautiful Inside & Out SCIO.”
Pauline paid a special heartfelt thanks to daughter Sophie, who was just fiveyears-old when she lost her big sister.
She added: “Sophie was just five years old when she lost her adored big sister and she has since helped to promote our work, by fund-raising, singing at charity gigs, making and selling things at our craft fayres, raising awareness and promoting kindness throughout her young life.
“These awards mean so much to us, knowing that the wonderful community of Troon is helping to promote the work of Beautiful Inside & Out SCIO, so that we shall be able to reach out to yet more people who shall benefit from our services, with our goal always being in the saving of lives.”
Frances Carson, leader of Troon Community Council said: “Both our winners truly deserve this award.
“Beautiful Inside & Out has saved so many young lives and it continues to be a lifeline to many due to the ongoing support, love and counselling for bereaved families and in suicide prevention.
“It was fitting for us to give our first ever Junior award to young Sophie who is a true inspiration.”