On March 10th last year I tragically lost my beautiful daughter Brodie to suicide (she was just 16 years old). Brodie was the most beautiful and intelligent girl and always gave her all to everything she did. Most importantly of all she was an extremely kind girl who lived for her horses (she was always at her happiest when she was around them).

Brodie and I were as close as a mum and daughter could ever be and losing her has left a huge void inside me that I cannot fix. Since losing Brodie I’ve managed to keep battling on and moving forward by raising as much awareness as I can around mental wellbeing and suicide prevention. Now it’s time to set myself a challenge!

2021 would have been Brodie’s 18th year and I really wanted to do something in her memory to mark her special birthday. 

According to the ONS (Office National Statistics) 285 people lost their lives to suicide in Wales in 2020 (My beautiful Brodie being one of these). I have challenged myself to virtually walk the Grand Canyon along the Colorado River and cover 285 miles (a mile for each person lost to suicide in Wales last year). As this virtual walk only covers 280 miles, I have decided to walk the final 5 miles on the 10th December (Brodie’s 18th birthday) from the churchyard where she is resting to her favourite place at the yard where we kept her horse and spent most of our time.

As well as raising awareness on my walk I hope to raise as much money as possible to donate to a charity close to my heart (PAPYRUS). I’m asking you if you can to please donate £2.85 (representing the 285 lives lost). Imagine the support that could be put in place for young people who are contemplating suicide if everyone gave just £2.85 each 💛💜 I feel just a little bit daunted about the challenge ahead but I’m so determined to remember each and every one lost through each and every mile I walk.

Thank you so much for reading my story and I’ll keep everyone updated with my journey.

PAPYRUS is the national Charity for the Prevention of Young Suicide. Suicide is the biggest killer of young people under the age of 35 in the UK, in 2018 over 1800 young people took their own lives. PAPYRUS provides confidential support and advice to young people struggling with thoughts of suicide, and anyone worried about a young person through their helpline, HOPELINEUK. Every £5 raised can help pay for a life-saving contact to HOPELINEUK. Your donations really are lifesaving, thank you.