R.I.P Dennis Ward

Everyone is fighting their own personal battles at the moment with the current situation being in lockdown. I know so many people who are struggling to cope. Unfortunately with great sadness my grandad, Dennis Ward could no longer fight that battle and decided to take his own life.

Before this terrible covid-19 virus came along, he had never been one to be depressed or suffer with his mental health and was relatively healthy for a 82 year old. He was a happy go lucky sort of man, the life and soul at family parties, dancing away to rock n roll hits, always wooing the ladies(sorry nan), he loved betting on the horses and drinking one too many ales or whiskys. His endless stories would always entertain us.

So, when I woke up to a call from my dad last night to say that your grandad has committed suicide, it came as a huge shock and has hit the family like a tonne of bricks and will be hard to understand for us all. But the reality of it all is that he was struggling with being vulnerable and self isolating. Fears of catching the virus and the world never being the same again finally took its toll.

If you are reading this, I ask you all today, to just pick up the phone to your parents, grandparents, friends or anyone vulnerable to check up on them and ask if they are ok and are coping. I never got the chance to speak to him as I thought he would be ok and would see him on the other side. Nobody knew the hidden effects it was having on him. Imagine what must of been going on his head to go ahead with what he did with no warning to family. I'm sure there are alot of other people in the same situation now, so reach out to them as you could potentially save a life.

He has left behind his wife of 60 years, Valerie Ward and children Valerie Parnaby and Adam Ward. Grandchildren, Paul, Jenna, and James. And great grand daughter Scarlett and countless family who cared for him. We will get through this together and beat this virus which is affecting so many peoples lives. STAY SAFE! 

If you could kindly donate anything, whether its 5p or £50 it would mean the world to us. This great charity help people with any sort of mental health issues. The coronavirus pandemic is having a huge impact on our mental health.

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.