RELATIONSHIP gurus in Swindon are calling on people harbouring a secret crush to pluck up the courage and declare their love this Valentine’s Day.

A divisive day in the calendar, some see Valentine’s Day as time to invest in their relationship, many celebrate the love in their life while others write it off as fluffy commercialisation.

But this year Relate Gloucestershire and Swindon (RGS) are reminding us that Valentine’s Day can also be a platform for being courageous and declaring your hidden attraction to someone with their new ‘Be a Braveheart’ campaign.

RGS has been providing relationship counselling and sex therapy in the area for more than 60 years.

Ellaine Cameron, RGS Centre Manager said that years ago Valentine’s Day was more associated with the notion of ‘secret admirers’ than it is nowadays. She said: ”There was usually a buzz over whether one had unexpectedly received a gift or card, sometimes completely oblivious to who it might be from, but this tradition seems to have increasingly diminished over the years.

“Valentine’s Day now tends to be associated with existing relationships, which is obviously tremendous but it could also be the perfect time to begin new love ventures.”

They argue that it might be the popularity of social media, which has affected people’s confidence or technique in approaching others face to face, but a recent story in the Relate Gloucestershire and Swindon office got the team wondering if this tradition could be revived.

While discussing Valentine’s stories, RGS receptionist Sue Chick reflected on an event which occurred on Valentine’s Day around 30 years ago in the Regent Arcade in Cheltenham.

Sue had been having a coffee in the little café on the first floor when a gentleman came up the escalator holding a single red rose. He approached a lady working at another table in the café, smiled and gave her the red rose before walking away.

Sue said: “The lady seemed shocked and didn’t expect it at all but her face was delightfully surprised. It seemed as if this man knew this lady would be working at this café at this particular time but it was obvious that they were also not well acquainted - yet.

“I’ve always wondered if anything became of it or whether it simply made this person’s day but it was such a lovely moment.”

This romantic gesture has been the inspiration behind a new campaign from RGS called ‘Be a Braveheart’. They are calling on people in Swindon to pluck up the courage and offer a gesture of love to their secret crush this Valentine’s Day.

Kimberley Wall, campaign manager, said: “Like the Lion in the Wizard of Oz, find the courage that already harbours within you and embrace the true desires of your heart.

“The worst that can happen is that the affection isn’t reciprocated but at least you can move forward knowing you were your bravest self, will not wonder in the future what could have happened and you at least made someone smile.

“Plus, in the way of the universe; maybe your own admirer will be brave enough to make themselves known.”

In honour of their campaign RGS will be providing single red roses in The Royal Oak in Old Town over the Valentine’s Day weekend so customers can give one to their secret desire or to the one they love for a donation.