Hi everyone, as most of you know Jack, Will and I lost our beautiful mum Emma. Today marks a year since our family lost her and it’s an extremely overwhelming feeling. 

For a year we have grieved, loved, laughed, but most of all lost. One of the key things I’ve taken from grief is that joy and grief can co-exist. At times I’ve felt bad for enjoying myself or feeling happy, I’ve stopped and thought I shouldn’t be feeling this, I should be sad. But that’s the weird part of it all, no one is given a rule book, but you’re allowed to feel however you want at any point without any remorse. So, for one year I’ve felt every emotion; from the worst pits of anger, to the highest enlightenment of joys, to the deepest depths of sadness. It’s safe to say my mental health has been extremely up and down, and without her as my person and best friend to vent it all out to, I’ve felt extremely lost. 

I’ve done a lot of reflecting on who my mum was, who she was to my family and I, and who she was to everyone she touched around her. She wasn’t without her own mental battles, as many of us know, and it’s made me want to do something in her name to fight for a cause I know she strongly believed in. One thing my mum loved was walking, as kids I think it was to tire my brothers and I out so we’d have no energy left to bicker. In more recent years it was a way to spend time with us, a way we’d have to chat with her and fill her in on our lives. Throughout lockdown we must’ve walked hundreds of miles, they were always filled with laughter and stories and sometimes tears, but they always made me feel happiness and a feeling of content. 

That’s why for her 50th Birthday on September 30th, I’ve decided to climb the second hardest route of Snowdon on my own to raise money for Mind charity. It’s a way for me to have a challenge, but also to feel close to her at the same time.

Mind is a charity that strongly advocates to raise awareness around mental health. They also fight for the improvement of services, promote understanding, and aim to build change. It’s also one close to our hearts, so I have set up a just giving page in hopes of raising money. Any donation is welcome!

Thank you for reading💜