It is estimated that 3000 middle aged men take their lives every year and when my dad took his life this estimation became a reality. Its taken time to understand why dad left us but now I feel I am able to use the experience to make a difference.

My dad was a keen fisherman. To commemorate his favourite peg on the canal a memorial bench was placed there. Unfortunately the bench was burnt by vandals earlier this year.

My dad’s angling friends have raised money to support my time at university every year through a memorial fishing match. I cannot thank them enough for the support they have given me and my mum, particularly Martin Higher who has relentlessly kept my father’s memory alive he's inspirational to me when doing this. 

Therefore alongside raising money to help replace my dad’s memorial bench I want to raise awareness and money for the Samaritans "we are in your corner" campaign. Launched on September 20th 2012 the campaign is divided into three main elements:

1. Research- understanding the factors that this group of men at most risk increased risk.

2. Case Studies- commissioned to shadow the lives of ten men, who have experimented with suicide and overcome their depression. 

3. Poster Campaign- to encourage men to seek help.

I strongly believe there is a connection between suicide cases in middle aged men and social factors such as the pressures of supporting a family and therefore fully support this research. At a personal level I would like to help in raising awareness to the silent issue of suicide. Everyone gets emotionally strained at some point but it is vital that we are all able to offload our emotions and speak to the people around us.

 Thank you for taking the time to visit the page, to contact me or join me on the day email sarah.jaffier@hotmail.co.uk