Our Why

In 2009, we lost our younger brother Callum at 15. He was healthy, loved, and full of life. His passing reminds us that pressure knows no boundaries—age, status, and success offer no immunity.

At some point, everyone faces struggles that feel unbearable. Yet experience teaches us that most worries never materialise, and even when they do, time can reveal unexpected silver linings. The danger lies in the moment of crisis, when darkness feels endless.

Callum was confident and happy. And then, suddenly, he was gone.

We live with a Callum-shaped hole that can never be filled, but his legacy binds our family and reminds us that life is fragile and precious—a gift to protect.

There’s no universal solution to despair, but there is hope—and one vital lifeline: time. Time allows healing, growth, and the chance to find joy again. Some of the happiest, most successful people have faced deep despair, only to later realise their struggles were stepping stones to a better future.

Had those we lost just held on—24 hours, maybe less—the fog could have lifted, the dust could have settled, and they might still be here, with us.

When lost in darkness, we must trust that light will return. Like the seasons, winter always gives way to summer—if we just hold on.

As Charlie Mackesy wrote, "We can't stop the storm, but we can let it pass."

For Callum - in all that we do, we take you with us.

Walk into the Light message:

By walking through the night into sunrise, we share a message of hope—that darkness is temporary and light will always return. If we hold on, we give ourselves the chance to heal, grow, and embrace life at its fullest.

"If there’s hope in the future, there is power in the present."

The first Walk Into the Light event was conceived in 2020 and officially launched in 2021, raising almost £80,000 for mental health support in the North East. Since then, the event has grown, with new opportunities emerging for the cause.

All funds raised will support Teesside-based mental health charities. The walk starts at 11pm on Friday, 4th July, covering 10 miles, culminating in the sunrise—a powerful reminder that light always follows the dark.

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