Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. Even if you cannot donate it would mean so so much to me if you just read my story. 

In the year 2000 there were a total of 5070 recorded suicides in England and Wales. Devastatingly for me, one of the most important and influential figures in my life was one of those 5070. 

My uncle, Michael Peter Wane, was 21yrs old and an expectant Father, when he decided to end his life.

His death on 24th August 2000 was truly devastating. I was 16yrs old and had collected my GCSE results the day it happened. What should have been the start of the next chapter in my life became the day my life in many ways stood still. 

Michael being only 5yrs older than me was more of a best friend than uncle, he was someone who I spent an incredible amount of time with and looked up to. We had the same interests and sense of humour .. would laugh and laugh and laugh a lot when we were together, usually fishing!

Michael was very good at hiding his mental health struggles, it is only after his death that some of the reasons behind his recent behaviour began to make sense. We missed the warning signs, in the days leading up to his suicide he began to push friends and family members away, he became argumentative and distant. In fact the last words I ever spoke to him were an argument. 

I was diagnosed with PTSD in the months after his death, I was 16 and carrying a lot of guilt around with me, I had become distant from people around me and lost touch with many friends at a time when I needed them most. I lost interest in things, I abused drink and drugs, had episodes of severe depression and suicidal thoughts. Things came to a head in 2008 when at 24yrs old I had breakdown and finally sort help, after professional counselling and a lot of love and support from my wonderful wife, I managed to over come this dark period of my life. 

I still struggle with mental health issues but I’m incredibly lucky in knowing how to manage them and I have a wonderful supportive and understanding  network around me. 

Some people are not that fortunate and even today in 2023 still face stigma and their mental health struggles are misunderstood. 

This is why I think Mind is so important as they work tirelessly to raise awareness around mental health and offer many vital supportive services to people who, without them, could become just another statistic. 

My eldest son will be 16 when I take part in this run, he will be in the middle of his GCSEs. It somehow feels fitting that I should try and raise as much money as I can in aid of Mind. 

So thank you for reading my story, if you can donate, no matter how small, then that would be amazing. 

Thank you.