When Lee asked for a volunteer to take his place, I couldn’t give a seconds thought and knew I had to do it. But this isn’t about me, it’s someone else’s story and this is Lee’s:

After the birth of our first child my beautiful wife found herself very down and emotional.  After 6 months of giving her all she was diagnosed with post-natal depression. A condition she would never recover from. She bravely did she could to build a relationship with our daughter but the time she was 2, Becky was taken into acute psychiatric care.  After lengthy treatment she bravely decided to grow our family and our son was born. The depression and anxiety never let up and although she carried on day to day, going back to work, helping in our local community with the toddler group and lantern festival and events through out the year, her battle was daily.  That battle was lost after a sudden depressive drop in June 21 which ended with her taking her own life in our own home. Treatment and support is out there and Acacia is giving that support and help to families like us. In recognition of all they do I was their Chair of Trustees for 6 years but had to step down to care for my family and I. I can't do this event this year as my kids need me and Ian is stepping in to my place to help to raise money for Acacia Family Support in memory of Becky. As we draw to the end of our first year without her , please give as generously as feel able to for all that she did for our community and all that Acacia are trying to to do to save people like Becky. Thank you. Family Support offers help to mums and families who are suffering from pre and post-natal depression. They believe that no mum/dad should suffer alone. They offer support through one to one befriending, group work sessions using CBT, telephone support and help in the home. “I look forward to Monday mornings knowing I will be listened to, having a place to talk things through has really changed how I was feeling and just being around other mums with post-natal depression makes me feel more normal" said a mum who attended Acacia.

The money raised in this event will fund Acacia in its support  and here’s how:

£10 pays for a mum or dad to receive telephone support
£25 pays for a family to receive some practical support at home.
£75 pays for a mum or dad to receive some one-to-one befriending sessions.
£100 pays for a mum to attend one of our group work courses.
£250 pays for a mum’s entire journey with Acacia.

I appreciate your support no matter how great or small.