No mention of pressure from charities as coroner delivers a verdict of suicide for Olive Cooke
Poppy seller Olive Cooke committed suicide because she had been suffering depression, an inquest has heard.
The 92-year old took her life after jumping from a bridge at Avon Gorge, Bristol, prompting speculation she committed suicide because she had been overwhelmed by hundreds of requests from charities to donate.
However, no mention was made of this during the hearing though it did emerge she had suffered depression, insomnia and breast cancer over the last few years.
The Bristol Coroner heard that Cooke left a note near the scene which read: “Please phone police 999 elderly Fishponds lady gone over cliff.”
A further note found in her bedroom read: “I find that with these last four months of health and deep depression and little sleep I can take no more. Thank you all for your love and kindness always.”
I can take no more. Thank you all for your love and kindness always - Olive Cooke
It wasn’t the first time she had contemplated taking her own life. In 2009 there had been “a significant attempt” to kill herself as she battled illness and depression, the inquest was told.
The retired postal worker had dedicated 76 years of her life to raising money for the Royal British Legion and is believed to have sold about 30,000 poppies during this time.
But she told a local newspaper earlier this year she found the pressure from charities difficult to cope with.
“I have always donated to charity,” she said. "But as I am getting older, I have been told I need to start cutting back… I think the elderly are targeted with this sort of mail on purpose, as charities think they have lots of disposable money or they might have donated in the past, but receiving so much is overwhelming.
“And it’s not just post, there are also lots of phone calls that come through. There must be a lot of people in a similar situation.”
Terence Moore, assistant coroner for Avon, reached a conclusion of suicide. He said: “Mrs Cooke was a lady who had suffered with low mood and depression for a number of years and there had been a significant attempt to take her own life as long ago as 2009.”
Fundraising methods have come under the spotlight since Cooke’s death with a raft of legislation and updated guidance by fundraising bodies set to be implemented to tighten procedures.
