Coming up to three years ago myself (28) and my brother (26) lost our dad who passed away from a long period of mental health probelms which also contributed to other struggles and battles he faced.

Our dad otheriwse known as Bob / Bobby / Robert, had a mental health break down in the early parts of our lives during the 90s when we were young children around 3/5years old. Prioir to his break down he was the average hard working family man, full of charisma love and life with a big heart.

After his mental health break down he had a number of health labels from paranoid pshycotic to paranoid schizophrenia. With the lack of awareness and knowledge around the mental health label from the 90s to this day this meant that sometimes his behaviour was seemed as eratic and sometimes out of control, alot of his behavior was possibly misunderstood. His friend and family circles grew less but thankfully his amazing parents always stood by him during many difficult times until they both sadly passed away during the last couple of years of my dads life.

Despite this unconventional situation we found ourselves in my brother and I obviously love him unconditionally and through the stormy weather dad/ Bobby could still bring smiles to our faces alot of the time, still making an effort and taking us on camping trips and days out he always let us both know in his own way that he loved us very much.

Growing up with a parent with sever mental health conditions was heartbreaking for me and my brother alot of the time, and now he is on the other side I’d like to try and raise some money to scatter the remainder of his ashes in a local place where he spent time as a child playing and where as an adult he would sit for some sanctury and peace, Worcester cremitorium where we can all go and visit to remember Dad/ Bobby and to apprechiate the peaceful nature which he loved so much.

We would apprechiate any amount whether its £1 or more to help us raise some money to contribute to this.

Thanks so much for reading my story.

Sophie