The 6th September 2022 was the 10th year of living life without Simon. Liv, Grace and Tom’s amazing Dad and my husband.  He is continually missed by all his family and friends. 

Simon had worked for South Wales police for 30 years.  In the latter years of his career he was instrumental in the policing at Cardiff City Football Club. Simon was valued and respected throughout the community and admired and looked up to by fans, friends and colleagues.

Simon died suddenly of a heart attack on Whitmore Bay Barry island,  whilst coaching nippers at surf lifeguards. That day our lives changed forever……

I’d not heard of the Gurney Fund until Simon had passed away. Quickly they stepped in to support us as a family.  The Fund exists to provide support relating to education and development for the children of police officers, from subscribing forces, where a parent has died or retired on ill health . They have enabled me to continue to give Liv, Grace and Tom opportunities and experiences over the years. Each year they were also given the opportunity to spend a week away with other children who had experienced similar circumstances. It was during this time they felt able to talk about their own experience of loss and grief and feel  understood. They have made life long friends during these times. 

It was after watching family members run the half marathon in March I decided to set my self the challenge to run the Cardiff half marathon in memory of Simon. At this point I was unable to run a 5 k without stopping. I was encouraged to join a local running club, The Vale Runners who throughout have been supportive and encouraging along with my family who have always believed in me. 

I have recently run 17k making the half marathon seem more achievable. So on Sunday I will be running with our daughter Grace, my Dad, nieces Lauren and Kate my brother Matthew and sister in law Claire to raise money for the Gurney Fund in memory Simon.