Suicide memorial quilt stitched together for event

A total of 66 squares are being stitched together for the memorial quilt

A memorial quilt created in Kent by those who have been bereaved by suicide is being stitched together to go on display.

The Kent Speak Their Name memorial quilt is being organised by the parents of Stefan Kluibenschadl, from Margate, who died in 2022, aged 15.

A total of 66 squares were created at workshops earlier this year and the completed artwork will be displayed at a suicide prevention event, The Baton of Hope, at Dreamland in Margate on 22 September.

Emma Kluibenschadl, Stefan's mother, said: "It has been an extremely emotional and powerful experience for those who attended the workshops."

A total of 10 workshops took place across east Kent from February to July and were attended by dozens of people.

Ms Kluibenschadl said: "We have made new connections with so many people who have been bereaved in Kent.

"It has been amazing to be in space with other people where you can be totally authentic about your own grief.

"We did a lot of chatting, a lot of crying, spoke of a lot of memories and hugged people we'd never met before."

The majority of those represented in the quilt are male, although the three youngest are all 13-year-old girls.

Workshops took place between February and July in towns across east Kent

Ms Kluibenschadl, who will be a baton bearer at the Baton of Hope event in Margate, said: "I'm immensely proud that we have been able to instigate this and help others who are in the same position as us.

"I'm excited for the unveiling of the quilt and for it to be widely seen."

Preparations are under way for the artwork to travel around venues in Kent from October as well as to the Houses of Parliament.

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