FRIENDS and family of a young Yeoford woman have launched a Justgiving appeal to help to pay for her funeral and a memorial.

In excess of £3,000 is needed to cover the costs and already the target has nearly been reached but more is still required.

Jasmine Sparks sadly committed suicide a few weeks ago at the age of just 21 years.

Jasmine went to primary school at Hayward’s in Crediton and Yeoford and then to Queen Elizabeth’s School.

At school she loved art and music.

She studied childcare at Exeter College but left after three months to work at Clintons in Exeter, after which she worked at The Stables, just outside Exeter.

She worked as a carer for two years at the Kenwyn Residential Care Home in Crediton, enjoying working with the residents.

Jasmine enjoyed family visits to Exmouth or Dawlish, was very good at art and loved trying out make-up from the age of 11.

More recently she lived in Aldershot as well as occasionally at Yeoford.

Jasmine started talking with Talkworks in May 2021.

Her mother Kylie said of Jasmine: “As mother and daughter Jasmine and I were very close.

“We loved spending time together, cooking, walking, watching our favourite TV programmes together, seeing family and friends.

“We loved to go shopping together and spent time doing our make-up and hair.

“Jasmine was so kind and thoughtful, she always put everyone first, always checking that we were okay, seeing what we were up to.

“She was very funny and loved being with her friends, her laugh was very infectious. Jasmine was a quiet girl and liked her own space.

“Jasmine was a lovely, caring girl, full of life and would do anything for anyone.

“Jasmine was beautiful inside and out.”

Jasmine’s funeral will be held at Exeter and Devon Crematorium at 1.30pm on Monday, November 22.

Relatives and friends are welcome to attend and the dress code is bright colours.

If you can help with a donation towards the funeral and memorial, the Justgiving link is: https://justgiving.com/crowdfunding/isabelle-mann .

Any monies raised in excess will be donated to the mental health charity MIND.

- - - - - - - - - -• Do you need someone to talk to?

There are a range of local and national organisations which can provide emotional support over the telephone or internet.

The Samaritans – 116 123

You can contact The Samaritans who are available 24 hours-a-day 365 days-a-year by telephone as well as by email, text and post.

Telephone: Free-of-charge from landline or mobile: 116 123

Nightlink – 0808 800 0306

Nightlink is an emotional support helpline and text service for anyone in Cornwall who is experiencing emotional distress. All calls are confidential. Nightlink is available seven days-a-week from 5pm – midnight

Text service 07717 989 021

SANE – 0845 767 8000

SANE offers support to anyone coping with mental illness, including concerned relatives or friends.

The SANE helpline is available seven days-a-week from 6pm – 11pm.

Papyrus

Papyrus are the national UK charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide and they provide:

HOPElineUK – 0800 068 4141 

This is a specialist telephone helpline for children, teenagers and young people up to the age of 35. Call Hopeline if you have concerns about suicide either for yourself or for someone else. Alternatively visit their website at: https://www.papyrus-uk.org

Text: 07786 209 697

CALM – 0800 58 58 58

Specifically for men, this service is open seven days-a-week, from 5pm to midnight.

STAY ALIVE APP

The Stay Alive app is a pocket suicide prevention resource for the UK, packed full of useful information and tools to help you stay safe in crisis.