A COMPETITION has been launched aimed at getting people in Hampshire to talk about death.

Dying Matters is running the writing competition While There Is Still Time, which hopes to gather shared experiences about death to help more people set about putting things right, planning their future and getting the best from life before it is too late.

Jacqui Cammish, legacy and in-memory fundraiser at Southampton Hospital Charity, said: “The charity is fully encouraging our local population to think about why dying matters and to have those conversations with family and friends for when the inevitable happens.

“Reading about other people’s setbacks, sadness and happiness helps us cope with our own ups and downs, and writing about experiences too painful to talk about can in itself generate a wonderful sense relief and release. It is important to change public knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards dying, death and bereavement.”

Anyone touched by regret or reconciliation is urged to put pen to paper and submit their story.

This free competition closes at midnight on June 30, with £200 going to the winner. To get involved go to dyingmatters.org/stilltime.