Almost a year and a half ago I volunteered to be a call companion with Reengage; it was something I'd always been drawn to.

I was paired with Philip and gave him a call, for the first time, one Tuesday evening in October. I was nervous... a lot more nervous than I expected to be!

Philip was an absolute diamond from the off. We got on immediately and that call was the first of many, sometimes more than once a week, to chew the fat and put the world to rights. 

We talked life, love, family, dogs, gardening and whatever was in the news that week. Very quickly I realised that this friendship was about so much more than providing a little companionship to an isolated older person… 

That summer, I went down to the west country so we could have a cup of tea and spend the afternoon catching up in person. It was beautiful to bring our friendship to life and see the house and garden he'd told me so much about!

We carried on talking every Tuesday and it was on one Tuesday night last year (I'd had surgery on my knee and was complaining about not being able to train) that he told me that this was an opportunity to do something positive. 

Over the next couple of weeks, I set about planning what this could look like and decided to sign up to a few bits over the first 6 months of 2023:

• BFMG Crossfit comp. 
• Turf Games
• Hyrox London
• Ride London 
• 70.3 Triathlon
• Ironman UK 

In case you’re wondering that’s a 3.9k swim, followed by a 180.2k bike and rounded off with a marathon (42.2k).

I was pretty keen to tell Philip about everything I had planned after his words of wisdom (and perspective) but that Monday night he called me. 

It was his grandson... he'd called to let me know that Philip had passed away earlier that evening. Words I really wasn’t ready to hear.

So this is in memory of my mate, Philip Wade. 

And in aid of Reengage who do such incredible work to reduce isolation and loneliness - something none of us should have to experience.

If you're able to make a donation, please do. There is no target, it all counts. 

If you'd like to get involved with Reengage and volunteer a little of your time each week as a call companion please do it. I guarantee you will have no regrets and there is someone out there waiting for your call. 

This is the link: https://www.reengage.org.uk/volunteer/new-volunteers/

I appreciate you x