THE TRAGIC death of a man on Dixon’s Chimney last month has helped to harvest the very best in community spirit.

Volunteers from Give a Day to the City have joined together to offer support to anyone affected by the sad death of Robert Philip Longcake, 53.

Known as Phil, Mr Longcake was left trapped on the 290ft city structure in the early hours of October 28, his lower leg reported to have become wedged between brickwork and a metal ladder.

A major emergency service response included police, fire and ambulance crews working tirelessly to help save the grandfather.

Their brave efforts were unsuccessful and after he was brought down at 4.30pm, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

An inquest into the death was opened on Wednesday and was adjourned until March 23.

Born in Silloth, Mr Longcake had lived latterly at Dalston, near Carlisle, and worked for Carlisle City Council.

Understandably the tragedy has left many looking for someone to talk to and somewhere to turn.

It is this sentiment that has led a group of volunteers to put together ‘Bags of Courage’, that they have been distributing across Carlisle.

The bags include chocolates, biscuits, tea bags and coffee, as well as a list of contact numbers of organisations who can be contacted for support.

Andy Fearon, speaking on behalf of Give a Day to the City, said: “There is a lot of heartache around, different people involved in different work.

“We know people have been struggling with the aftershock of this.

“We contacted the council and came up with Bags of Courage.

“We have 1,000 Bags of Courage which we are taking to the homes and businesses around Dixon’s Chimney.”

As well as the bags, a free event is also scheduled for today in the conservatory at the The Bobbin Coffee Shop in Shaddongate.

It will offer a space to talk for anyone who needs it and will also provide free tea and coffee.

“It is an opportunity for people to come along and talk. There will be St James Church’s book of condolence,” explained Mr Fearon.

“There will be the details of different organisations.

“We know people will be missed [when distributing the bags], but we don’t want that to happen.

“It is an opportunity to help people in the area stand with people from the area.

“It’s about the city coming together.”

The drop-in will be held between 1pm and 4pm today.

Mr Fearon says the response on the doorstep has been overwhelmingly positive.

“This is Carlisle saying it wants to do something positive,” he said.

If you need support, contact Greater Manchester Mental Health services on 01204 390302.