North Shields woman is calling on the government to allow assisted dying
The assisted dying bill is being introduced into Parliament today.
A North Shields woman is calling on the government to allow assisted dying in the UK, after her Dad travelled to Switzerland to end his life.
Her dad Ray was suffering with Motor Neurone Disease when he chose assisted dying in 2021.
Naomi Craven says that her Dad managed to die with dignity, something that all people in the North East should be allowed.
Today an assisted dying bill is introduced to Parliament, before the MPs vote next month on whether to make it legal here in the UK.
Naomi said: "From my point of view, from my Dad's experience, he died a lovely death. It was peaceful, it was beautiful. But, he had to travel a long way from home and away from his family and friends to do that. I think the law as it stands deprives people of that choice.
"This is all about giving people dignity as they die and for some people that is the dignity to choose a death at the time that they want to and about having the death that they want. That's very much having a death in the place that you're from with your friends and family around you, rather than having to make a traumatic journey.
"It's the opportunity to die with your family and friends around you and in the city that you're from. My Dad was a true Newcastle man, Geordie born and bred, so would absolutely have wanted to die here. I think it's about having that choice to do it in your own country."