In June 2016, seventeen year old Billy Plowman of Oxted decided to end his own life. A year prior nineteen year old Molly Green had made the same choice. Both were extremely talented young adults, so loved by friends and family, and so admired by those who knew them. Both felt they could not go on living. Both are an irreplaceable loss to the local community and to the world.

Matt Hayes, owner of Idol Hands Music School (where Billy had lessons) and a member of local band Randy and the Rockets (of whom Molly was a big fan), founded Clockwork in the summer of 2016 after Billy’s passing. Matt strongly believed that more could be done to support and inform young people suffering with depression, anxiety and poor mental health, especially having himself struggled with anxiety and depression from a young age. And so Clockwork was formed.

Clockwork aims to provide information and offer support to young adults struggling with mental health issues. As part of this, the charity intends to offer counselling services, alongside offering financial support, where possible, for those seeking help from professionals outside the NHS. In addition to this, a website (www.clockwork.org.uk) is being worked on, which will share details of what local resources and services are available to those struggling with a mental health problem. Clockwork also hopes to run events centered on music, art and wellness, bringing young adults together and offering access to healthy mindful activities in an inclusive environment.

I am fortunate to be able to count Matt as one of my closest friends, and someone who has been a great source of support to me during the time we have known each other, especially over the last 12 months, in which I have suffered from severe depression, and have turned to self-harm, alcohol abuse and suicidal thoughts. Without the love of some close friends and the unwavering support of my family I am not sure I would have survived.

However, I know that not everyone is fortunate enough to have these support networks, or at least does not feel able to reach out. I have also experienced first hand how difficult it can be to get the required information and support from the NHS - a significant barrier to a person who might be struggling to even get out of bed in the morning or hold a conversation.

I believe with all my heart that nobody should feel like there is no place they can turn, no offer of support, no chance of change. Clockwork aims to be a source of help, guidance, understanding and hope to those who need it – to those who have lost hope. I hold its aims and values in the highest regard, and think it the most worthy of causes.

So, I will be shaving my head, and all my lovely hair, to raise money for the charity, and hopefully to raise awareness for its causes (I imagine I might get a few people asking me why I've shorn my locks). Please give generously, to make the act of my losing my one good feature worthwhile.