Residents in Bury St Edmunds are being invited to write letters to support people who have had their freedom denied and potentially help save lives.

Amnesty International Bury St Edmunds’ annual Write for Rights letter writing campaign launches tomorrow at West Suffolk College library from 10am-2pm.

A further session is taking place on Saturday, December 9, at the Apex cafe – also from 10am-2pm.

Last year, more than 152,000 people across the UK took part in the campaign, writing letters that had a huge impact on individuals’ lives.

Avril Dawson, Amnesty International Bury St Edmunds chairman, said: “At Amnesty, we know that the simple act of writing a letter can make a huge difference to a person’s life. Letter writing can – and does - quite literally help save lives.

“For someone languishing behind bars after an unfair trial or being persecuted by the authorities, receiving messages of support can give them the boost they need to cope with the difficulties they face and continue in their struggle for justice.

“And when thousands of letters get behind a single cause, those in power will often take notice and feel pressured to do something about the abuses being committed.

“This campaign is a brilliant demonstration of the power of peaceful protest. When thousands of voices come together, you can almost guarantee they will be heard.

“It would be great to see as many Bury St Edmunds residents as possible getting involved in this humble yet powerful act of solidarity. Letters sent from us will help right wrongs and change lives.”

For more information, visit www.amnesty.org.uk/write