THE parents of a young woman who took her own life are doing their bit to help others struggling with mental health problems to get through Christmas.

Marlborough House, based in Old Town, helps youngsters between the age of 12 to 18 who have been sectioned, which means they are so unwell they need to be treated in a hospital.

Liz and Paul Swindall run the Rachel Swindall Trust which has donated cash to the Superset Sports and Educational Trust to use towards making life better and more active for the 12 patients at the clinic this festive season.

“The Christmas period is for family time and some of the patients at Marlborough House will not have a place to go to, that is why we have tried to give them activities to help them through it,” said Mrs Swindall. “The donation is to show them that people do care about them.”

They started the charity after they lost Rachel nearly seven years ago at the age of 20 and have seen first-hand how being creative and supplying activities helped their daughter. “We set up the trust with the aim of helping other young people affected with similar problems.

“We have never been ashamed of Rachel’s mental illness and we don’t want our daughter’s name and memory to be forgotten and this is a way for her to still help others who are suffering with mental health.”

The family decided they wanted to help after they discovered funding had been cut for charities that help people with the illness.

They have donated £600 towards developing a garden for the clinic patients and another £180 for a Christmas activity day where they will get a chance to be creative with arts and crafts, making Christmas cards and baubles.

Kerry Walklett, project manager at Superset, who runs sessions at the hospital, said: “It is brilliant to have people such as Liz and Paul helping with their donations, they help make a difference to people’s lives for the better.

“Most people don’t realise just how tough the residents have it here. There is no funding to help them either and there is not a lot of facilities onsite.

“A craft activity day gives them a chance of feeling normality which can make all the difference.”

Ellen Hicks, communications and engagement officer of Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We are so thankful to the Rachel Swindall Trust and Kerry from Swindon Superset who put us in touch with them.

“The funding the trust has provided for our Christmas craft activity morning means the young people will be able to take part in a range of different craft activities, getting everyone in the Christmas spirit.

“This is absolutely amazing and we are so grateful for them helping to make this happen.”