Local resident, Lisa Harris, has been so inspired by a song from a musical that she is preparing for the huge challenge of organising a photoshoot and fashion show to raise funds for the charity Papyrus, the Prevention of Young Suicide.

Lisa loved the musical The Greatest Showman and when she heard that Hugh Jackman was doing a world tour, she just had to go. She was so excited she even made a little top hat fascinator and during the second song Hugh spotted her, pointed over and said “I like it!” which meant a lot to Lisa. During the performance, he sang a song that she told the Gazette ‘literally had me sobbing’. It’s from the Musical Dear Evan Hansen. It’s called You Will Be Found. Lisa said: “it’s a beautiful song but it got to me because it’s not always true. Some of the lyrics are: ‘Even when the dark comes crashing through, When you need a friend to carry you And when you’re broken on the ground, You will be found’.”

One of the reasons the song affected Lisa so much was because she was aware of a young man from Ross-on-Wye, who at only 19  took his own life because he couldn’t cope with life’s pressures. This has had a huge impact on Lisa as she knows how it feels to be alone and desperate as she has suffered from anxiety and depression for a long time. Also having three sons aged 19, 21 and 22, she said she can’t imagine the pain the parents and siblings must go through and continue to go through after losing a child in this way.

The words of the song hit her hard because, sometimes these young ones are not found until it’s too late. So, Lisa decided to organise a charity photo shoot, a fashion show followed by an auction of special occasion clothing, as well as an auction of promises, to raise awareness that young ones can be suffering and it’s important to spot the signs. She also wants to raise awareness of the charity PAPYRUS which is somewhere they can turn when they are finding life unbearable.

Lisa has already received lots of donations of special occasion dresses, unique outfits, shoes and accessories. even a wedding dress, bridesmaid dresses and prom dresses, but she still needs more special occasion wear for men and women including accessories. She also needs things they can sell at the auction of promises, and is particularly looking for a venue for the show.

If anyone would like to make a donation, they can do so by contacting her at [email protected], on 07724163579 or through her Just giving page www.justgiving.com/fundraising/lisajharrisSee this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.