Matthew Stiling was my best friend- but I am not alone in this. Matthew had many best friends. He was taken from this world almost five years ago, on a July night in 2005. He was walking home from a night out with friends, a journey he had made a million times.
He was attacked and killed with a Samurai Sword. His killer (not from our town) is serving 14 years, little in return for the loss of a lovely man cut down in his prime. Matthew was only 33.
It has taken nearly five years for many of us in our small town to rebuild our lives. We will never forget Matthew- his great smile, his warm aura, his laid back approach to life. He may be gone, but I am happy to have known him, and to call him my best friend.
I am growing a beard to raise money to support families and victims of crime, to help people who may have been through what we, his family and friends have been through, and although we will never take violent crime off the streets completely, we can support, educate and help those who have been victim to street crime.
I started growing my beard on February 28th this year....and...it's getting long!
Soooo.......dig deep, people- this is not only for Matthew, but for everyone else who has been a victim, or might be in the future......
I'll be updating this page and my facebook group with new photos every few weeks!
Peace,
Adam.