Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

This is in memory of Jake; much loved son, brother, boyfriend, grandson, nephew, friend and teacher.

On the 13th of October 2018, our world fell apart when Jake took his own life unexpectedly and just a month before his 22nd Birthday.  This left everyone devastated, shocked and bewildered.  There were no obvious warning signs, and Jake had no previous history of mental health issues. 

Jake was a successful, ambitious, highly driven  and motivated young man with everything to live for.  He was the life and soul of any party, was fun and lived life to the full.  He had a loving family and was popular having  lots of friends.

He ran his own successful sports provision business, and was passionate about encouraging primary school kids of all abilities to appreciate and to love sport.  

Jake’s death  has left a huge void in the lives of everyone who knew him.   His passing has cast a long shadow and those people close to him are still struggling to understand and to reconcile the Jake we all knew and loved to the young man that took the final actions that he did on that day.  All of us are asking ourselves, what did we miss, what could we have done, why did Jake not speak out?  Surely he knew how we all loved him and the fact that there was nothing we wouldn’t have done to change the course of that day!  

Jake was a keen sportsman, but his love was football.  His career spanned from playing for Stoke City Academy from the age of 8-16.  Prior to his passing he was playing for Eccleshall FC. 

We are asking for donations to support North Staffs Mind, who are working closely with the Staffordshire FA and Local football clubs.  Together they are promoting mental health awareness within the football community by setting up support networks/ counselling for young people that may be experiencing life challenges causing them to experience depression and mental health issues.  We need young people to speak out without fear of being judged or reprisal!

I wish that this provision had been available for Jake, and perhaps this might have encouraged him to speak out about how he was feeling and maybe it could have saved his life.  

The wish of Jake’s family and friends are that no one else should have to go through the pain and loss of losing such a unique individual with so much potential.   If money raised, saves just one young life; this page will have served its purpose. 

Thank you for reading and giving your support. 

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