Scots dance champion, 17, took fatal overdose after being 'targeted by bullies' at school
A TALENTED young dancer who died from an overdose was a "force to be reckoned with", her heartbroken mum said today.
Niamh Lemoine-Drever's devastated mum paid tribute to her daughter, 17, who died on Sunday after taking an overdose at her family's home in Dunbar, East Lothian, days before.
An air ambulance was scrambled in a bid to save the teen's life when she was found last Thursday.
But she had gone into cardiac arrest and was placed in an induced coma.
Medics at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh hooked her up to a ventilator and dialysis machine, but on Sunday her heartbroken family were told that life support would be turned off and the treatment provided would be palliative care.
Talented Niamh, who had been a British champion Irish dancer and was passionate about campaigning for the LGBTQ community, was described as a 'force to be reckoned with' by her grieving mum.
Mum-of-five Sevy Lemoine-McGinnes said the teenager had been "bouncy and happy" in the hours before she took an overdose.
'STORM-IN-A-TEACUP-TYPE PERSON'
Sevy, 44, who works in a GP practice said: "Niamh was a storm-in-a-tea-cup-type person.
"She was fiery and excitable one minute and sad and ever so tortured the next.
"But when she was up, she was bright, articulate and clever – so clever, and talented.
"She used to be a British champion Irish dancer with Aine Hay Dance Academy.
"She was a sea cadet and did really well there in Dunbar.
"If she did something, she did it well.
"She was a force to be reckoned with, she was awesome."
A close family friend said Niamh had been bullied at school.
Reverend Suzie Fletcher, of Dunglass Parish Church in Dunglass, East Lothian, knew the teenager for around eight years after meeting her when she was chaplain of the Sea Cadets.
Rev Fletcher said: "Niamh left school in S4 but she did struggle with bullying and people saying things to her.
"There's not enough support.
"It's difficult, it seems to be resources are shrinking."
Niamh left Dunbar Grammar School in 2018.
YOU'RE NOT ALONE
It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You're Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
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- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
Her former headteacher Claire Slowther said: "Staff and students at Dunbar Grammar were extremely saddened to hear of Niamh's passing.
"We will remember her as a bright girl and a very talented dancer."
And Niamh's boss at the pub where she worked behind the bar said colleagues were 'devastated' by the tragedy.
Pub landlord of the Brig and Barrel, James Hughes, said: "It is tragic. It has left everybody absolutely devastated.
"Niamh joined us a few months back and, although she had only been here quite a short time, she had made a real big impact and really fitted in well with the team."
Niamh will be laid to rest on January 31, with mourners encouraged to bring fairylights in a jar.
Sevy added: "We have got a number of large schools in the area and, especially with social media, kids are really struggling to manage on so many levels.
"Whether it be the way they look, the way they feel, the way people bully them, it is just on so many levels."
A Just Giving campaign has now been launched in a bid to raise funds for Niamh's funeral.
4Niamh, 17, passed away on Sunday after taking an overdose days before
4Source: Read Full Article