Rachel Pumphrey
Rachel and Ben's Virtual London Marathon
Fundraising for Acacia Family Support
Story
We are taking part in the Virtual London Marathon on Sunday 3rd October with the aim of raising as much money for Acacia Family Support as possible! Walking 26.2 miles is not going to be easy (although we will be child free!), so why are we doing it?!
1 in 5 new mums suffer with their mental health, this has more than doubled during the Covid pandemic. Acacia has been able to keep supporting mums and dads during this time by phone and online groups, and so helping families through their journey of recovery from post-natal depression and anxiety.
We're taking on this challenge because we know how much of a difference the money we raise will make to Acacia, and most importantly, to the families Acacia supports. Many of you will know that Rachel has worked for Acacia for just over 7 years after starting as a volunteer with them. During that time we have seen the tremendous impact Acacia has had on many families across Birmingham, giving them hope, showing kindness, care and compassion, listening to them without judgment, and equipping them with tools and strategies to help them every day with their mental health. We have seen first hand how Acacia helps to improve the lives of our families and how grateful our families are for the support, love and care shown to them.
"Acacia restored my hope for life and future. I felt better after every befriending session. Continuous care, love and support from the team is phenomenal. I am forever grateful for the support I received."
We are also walking the marathon in memory of and to honour the life of Becky Plummer. Becky was a kind, gentle, loving person, who touched many people's hearts throughout her life. Becky and her husband Lee were supported by Acacia, and became part of the Acacia family over many years as they championed our work, Lee as the Chair of Trustees. Becky and Lee were signed up to do the London Marathon too.
However, on 19th June this year Becky tragically died, and so we are walking to raise money to help us save other families from the pain that Lee and their two children are going through now.
Every penny you donate will help more families get the help they need. Thank you so much for supporting us in our challenge.
Acacia's Facebook post 21.06.21
It is with a heavy heart that we share with you some very sad news that Becky Plummer, the wife of Lee Plummer our previous Chair of Trustees, died very suddenly over the weekend.(23/08/1976 - 19/06/2021) We are deeply saddened by the loss of Becky and heartbroken for Lee, and their two children.
Becky and Lee have been a huge part of Acacia's story with a history going back many years. Both Becky and Lee used our services and then went on to support us and have been involved in so many ways over the years, becoming very dear friends to us. They both gave so much of their time to support our work by sharing their story of postnatal depression with courage and vulnerability at Acacia's volunteers training events, our conferences, the 2 Acacia Balls and in many other situations. Lee went on to become the Chair of Trustees until Georgina took over in 2019. In the same year, Becky did a skydive for us as a fundraiser and only a few months ago, signed up to take part in the London Marathon fundraiser for us later this year.
Words cant express how much we loved and cared for Becky and we hope you will join us in praying for their whole family in the coming days and weeks.
