Walking and Running in Memory of Paul - Forever in our Hearts. Keep Talking and let's help everyone to Live More Awesome.

Thank you for taking the time to read my page:-

In January this year, my husband Paul was only 43 when he lost his battle with life-long depression and tragically took his own life to end his pain.

To the outside world, Paul was an all-round good egg and had everything to live for. We moved to New Zealand 4 years ago to start a wonderful new life together, he was successful in his career, loved by many, thoughtful and kind, and known for his wicked, dry sense of humour and his wheezy, infectious laugh.

It is so hard for people to understand why someone like Paul would do such a thing? There is no stereotypical type, it affects people of all ages, from all walks of life, and it is so unexpected, and sudden, loved ones left behind are left devastated, lost and in shock and their own pain then begins.

Globally, there are nearly one million deaths per year by suicide. Worldwide, it ranks among the three leading causes of death among adolescents and young adults, and is one of the top ten leading causes of death across all age groups, (approx. every 40 seconds someone, somewhere around the world, will die by suicide). Yet despite these terrible statistics, it remains such a taboo subject, along with the general attitude to mental health problems, and this needs to change through education and raising awareness of this misunderstood illness.

The three charities for which we are fundraising, not only raise awareness and help those with mental health issues, but also provide much needed support to those bereaved through suicide.

LIVE MORE AWESOME (NZ) - their goals are to start as many open and honest conversations about mental health as humanely possible in order to help normalise it and reduce the stigma surrounding it. Inspire and encourage as many people as possible, to ask for help with their mental health and help direct all of the people who ask for help to specific help in their area.

MIND (UK) (chosen by Paul’s family) provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. Their services include supported housing, crisis helplines, drop-in centres, employment and training schemes, counselling and befriending.

GRIEF SUPPORT SERVICES (NZ) - offer counselling to individuals and families affected by grief, and run specific suicide support groups. This charity is particularly personal to me and has helped my healing, and I have met some amazingly brave and wonderful people.

So please help us get to our goal and help spread awareness of how mental health affects us all, and help reduce these suicide statistics.