I’m posting this to give people who want to write some idea what you can say to personalise your email. The quoted bit is Reprieve’s standar email. I added the bit below in bold.
From David Marsden <david.marsden@enfieldclubhouse.org.uk>
To Andrew Love MP
Subject URGENT: protect Akmal Shaikh
Message Dear Andy Love, MP
I am very concerned at the plight of Akmal Shaikh, the British national who is facing execution in China. Please can you urgently contact the Foreign Office and urge them to do all they can to protect him from execution. Please ensure that the Government immediately files a legal pleading as a friend of the court on Mr Shaikh’s behalf in the Chinese Supreme Court.
I understand from Reprieve that the Chinese legal system has not taken into account his serious mental illness, bi-polar disorder. Anyone with experience of this illness must understand how it can affect someone’s ability to behave. Whatever Mr Shaikh may or may not have done, it is very important that this be considered in mitigation.
I’m writing as the Director of a local mental health charity, many of whose members are mental health service users with bipolar disorder among other mental illnesses. As I’m sure you know, while these people are capable and talented in many ways and want nothing more than to live ordinary lives in the community, they are also vulnerable to people who wish to take advantage of them.
When people are mentally ill, they often hold grandiose delusional beliefs like Akmal Shaikh, who I understand believed he was a rock star going to China to find fame and fortune! It seems clear to me that his delusional state of mind made him an easy target for abuse of power by those who should rightly be facing charges instead of him.
I feel sure you will do your best to stop Akmal’s execution if you have not already done so.
Many thanks.
Yours sincerely,
David Marsden
Director
Enfield Clubhouse
41 Ridge Avenue
Winchmore Hill
London
N21 2RJ
020 8360 6660
www.enfieldclubhouse.org.uk