I am supporting The Good Grief Project’s Active Grief Retreat programme by competing in the 2019 London Triathlon on Sunday 28th July.

The Good Grief Project is a charity very close to my heart, set up in memory and honour of my brother Joshua who was killed in a road traffic accident in Vietnam, 2011. THE GOOD GRIEF PROJECT WEBSITE

ABOUT MY TRIATHLON -

An Olympic Distance Triathlon consists of 1.5km swim, 40km cycle & 10km run. It's a gruelling event that requires dedication in training, sacrifice in time and determination and will in competing and finishing the endurance event.

Endurance events are painful, Triathlons can hurt! I gain my motivation and desire to train and compete from the love and loss of my brother Josh. Training is a time where I feel closer to him, finding a space away from the 'real world' to be with my brother and have him 'push me on'. I'm now pushed harder knowing that my efforts will support such a worthwhile cause.

I will be aiming for a PB, completing in under 2hrs 10 minutes. I would be incredibly happy with that time but failing that intend to ensure I finish no later than 2hrs 15min.

If you're free that day and fancy a day out in the Centre of London then it would be great to see you along the route for support

ABOUT THE GOOD GRIEF PROJECT & THE ACTIVE GRIEF WEEKEND RETREATS -

All donations raised will go directly to financing future Active Grief Weekend retreats. The aim of the retreats is to support families as they look for new and creative ways of expressing their feelings as they come to terms with the death of a son or daughter. ACTIVE GRIEF WEEKEND SHORT FILM

During the weekends families use photography, film, writing and physical activity to work through their grief bringing the memory of their child with them. 

Being a member of the Active Grief Weekend team I have seen first-hand the incredible positive impact and nurturing support that is offered to bereaved parents. An almost sacred time where hearts and souls can be nurtured and there is space for a parent to truly feel they can find the space to be with their lost child.

It costs about £14,000 to hold each retreat (or £560 per person). But we want to make places available to all, especially those on a limited income. Approximately 6000 young people under the age of 25 die in the UK every year leaving up to 50,000 newly bereaved close relatives and friends. Recent studies have shown that the social, psychological and financial costs of grief can be extreme. Please help us to support mums and dads, brothers and sisters, even grandparents as they try to rebuild their lives after such a huge tragedy

All donations no matter how small or large will help fund a grieving parent, sibling or grandparent on one of our retreats. Thank you so much.

Thank you from Joe and the rest of the team at THE GOOD GRIEF PROJECT