Remembering Ian Steven Slocombe

1964–2006

This September marks 20 years since we lost my dad, Ian.

Dad was the life and soul of every party. He loved making people laugh, loved dressing up, loved music and dancing — especially Robbie Williams and YMCA! If YMCA came on at a party, Dad would inevitably find a chair and get up there to do the dance moves. 😂

He was also a postman, and during his time at Royal Mail he took part in football matches with his fellow posties. Dad was such a terrible goalkeeper that he earned the nickname “Safe Hands” — a nickname that stuck and became part of the charity football matches we held in his memory.

Twenty years on, some of those postmen are older now, so we’ve decided to do things a little differently.

This September we’re launching:

🏃 20 MILES FOR SAFE HANDS 🚶

The challenge is simple — walk, run or cycle 20 miles during September, representing the 20 years since we lost Dad.

We’re hoping to raise £2,000 for suicide prevention and, just as importantly, raise awareness of the importance of talking, listening and checking in on the people we love.

We’ll also be collecting 20 memories for 20 years, sharing stories and photographs from people who have lost loved ones to suicide.

Dad may have been gone for 20 years, but he certainly hasn’t been forgotten.

This isn’t about remembering how we lost him.

It’s about remembering who he was.

The man who made people laugh.

The man who loved a party.

The man who dressed as Santa and delivered the post.

The man who stood on a chair to dance to YMCA.

The man everyone called Safe Hands.

❤️ 20 years. 20 miles. One unforgettable man.

If you’d like to take part, sponsor us, share the challenge or simply tell us a memory of Ian, we’d love to hear from you.

Walk. Laugh. Remember. Talk.