Small acts of hope rewarded

Can little things make a big difference?

Paige Hunter’s small acts of support to those in despair may not seem much, but they add up to a lot.

The teenager pinned dozens of notes on Wearmouth Bridge filled with inspirational messages and words of support to people in distress.

She was spurred into action after hearing of the success of a similar project on Newcastle’s Tyne Bridge, aimed at making potential suicide victims think again.

Paige had suffered trauma in her life and felt she understood the issues and the support desperate people needed.

As she said at the time: “When I was young I went through a trauma and I couldn’t see a light and felt really bad.

“People helped me and if it wasn’t for them, I might not be here and I thought about if I could do the same for others by writing messages to help them.

“I just want people to know they are not alone, they can get through it.”

Among the 40 notes she pinned to the railings of the bridge, were messages such as “The world is much better with you in it” and “you’re a shining light in a dark world, just hold on.”

Little notes of hope that could have made a big difference.

Certainly that’s what Northumbria Police thought, and have commended Paige for her actions. Historically Wearside has had significant problem with suicide, in particular amongst men where suicide rates are way above the national average.

Anything that may reverse this trend deserves praise.

We may never know how many lives Paige’s small act may have saved, but if it saved just one, it was an exercise worth doing.