A County Durham woman who turned her grief into action after losing her best friend has spoken of her heartbreak as the charity ball she organised in her memory is now at risk.
Chloe Leigh Cousins, 22, from Ferryhill, launched Break the Silence after her best friend, Emma Nicole Hunter, died suddenly in March last year, aged just 21.
Chloe said: "Rather than just sitting around and crying about it all I decided I wanted to try and make a difference and honour Emma's name through charity events to help raise money and awareness for mental health and suicide."
Paying tribute to her friend, she said: "She was the life and soul of the party and lit up every room she walked into. She was always the loudest there, full of funny comments and crazy dancing.
"You'd never meet another person like her. She loved to go out on the weekend, but also loved spending time with her friends.
"She was just a big kid still at heart. She was just an amazing wild girl and she has left a hole in everyone's heart.
"Everything I do for her is more than just in her honour, it is to keep the memory of her alive, everyone was happy when she was around. It was just the person she was."
Since then she has organised a charity pub crawl in Durham for Mind just months after Emma's death, raising £1,500.
She later completed 100,000 steps in a week around Emma's birthday in September, raising £300, before organising an all-pink charity event to mark the first anniversary of her death, raising just under £900 in March this year.
Now Chloe is preparing for her fourth fundraiser, a black-tie charity ball at Redworth Hall Hotel in Newton Aycliffe on Friday, September 18.
But with only a couple of months to go, she says the event could be cancelled unless enough tickets are sold.
She said: "Our charity ball is now only a couple of months away, and I need to be completely honest. If we don’t sell a minimum of 80 tickets, unfortunately the event won’t be able to go ahead.
"The thought of cancelling absolutely breaks my heart.
"This night has never been about me. It’s about remembering the beautiful people we’ve lost, raising awareness for mental health, and bringing people together to show that nobody has to face their darkest days alone.
"It’s about helping stop other families and friends from experiencing the heartbreak that so many of us have been through, and reminding those who are struggling that they are seen, they are valued, and they are supported."
The ball is being held on Emma's birthday, the only date the entertainment was available, making the event even more personal.
A table at the front of the venue will be dedicated to people who have lost loved ones to mental health, although Chloe says so many people have been affected there is "not enough space".
The evening will include a three-course meal, live entertainment from Tess Tickle and The Draguettes, an opening performance from Jay Carter Jamieson, a DJ, raffle and games.
Chloe said at least 80 tickets must be sold to cover the venue and entertainment costs, with up to 180 available.
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But Chloe has hopes of selling it out so they can raise the most amount of money for the charity If U Care Share as all profits go to them.
She added: "I’m asking from the bottom of my heart if you can help in any way, I would appreciate it more than words can say.
"Thank you to every single person who has already supported Break the Silence. Your kindness means more than you’ll ever know."
If you are in need of support you can contact the following:
- When life is difficult, Samaritans are here to listen – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.
- If U Care Share on 0191 387 5661 or text IUCS to 85258
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