𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘆 – 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗿𝗶𝘁

In July 2020 I lost my firstborn son, Jake, to suicide.

Like so many bereaved parents, I believed my own life had ended too.

For a long time I existed rather than lived. I planned my own death more times than I care to remember. The mountains became the place where I wrestled with my own mind, until one day I made a different decision.

I chose to stay.

Not because the pain disappeared.

Not because grief became easier.

But because I realised that if I could survive my own darkest thoughts, perhaps one day I could help someone else survive theirs.

That decision changed everything.

Today I am the Founder of Walking 4 Hope and the creator of Grief to Grit – Choosing to Stay.

Every challenge I complete, every mile I cover and every bath tub I carry is dedicated to creating hope for people who need it most.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝘂𝗯?

People often ask why I carry a bathtub.

Because a bathtub is where many people feel safe.

It's where people cry.

It's where people hide from the world.

It's where some people have their darkest thoughts.

I carry it to show that no matter how heavy life becomes, hope can still move forward.

The rubber ducks attached to the bath represent loved ones who have died. They remind us that every life mattered, every person was loved, and every family continues carrying them in their hearts.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿?

Every penny raised supports Walking 4 Hope's long-term vision of creating a permanent Walking 4 Hope Basecamp.

A place where people don't have to pretend they're okay.

A place where they can simply belong.

Our vision includes:

• Weekly wellbeing walks

• Peer support groups

• Bereavement support for parents and families

• Suicide prevention initiatives

• Outdoor resilience activities

• Family wellbeing events

• Creative wellbeing sessions

• Safe community spaces where no one has to face life alone

• Affordable overnight accommodation and wellbeing pods for those needing time away

• A welcoming hub where connection comes before judgement

Basecamp isn't simply a building.

It's a place where hope lives.

𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗿𝗶𝘁 – 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻

This fundraiser doesn't have an end date.

Neither does my commitment.

Over the coming years I'll continue pushing myself physically to create conversations around mental health, grief and suicide prevention.

That includes:

• Completing all 214 Wainwrights carrying the bathtub.

• Taking on public marathons and half marathons with the bathtub.

• Continuing to learn and develop as an ultra-runner.

• Training for some of the world's toughest ultra-marathon events.

• Carrying our memorial flag displaying the faces of loved ones lost to suicide, ensuring they are remembered while helping protect those still here.

• Speaking across schools, workplaces, organisations and communities through my Grief to Grit keynote talks.

• Delivering weekly support groups, outdoor activities and wellbeing sessions through Walking 4 Hope.

Because awareness alone doesn't save lives.

Community does.

Connection does.

Purpose does.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗼 𝗳𝗮𝗿?

Together we've already achieved more than I ever imagined.

✔ Completed a 960-mile journey from John O'Groats to Land's End carrying a bathtub in memory of Jake and everyone affected by suicide.

✔ Raised awareness across the UK through national media, community events and thousands of conversations.

✔ Established Walking 4 Hope as a registered charity.

✔ Created regular peer support groups and wellbeing activities.

✔ Supported hundreds of people through walks, talking groups and community events.

✔ Delivered family activities that bring people together through connection rather than isolation.

✔ Begun building Grief to Grit to inspire people to choose life, purpose and hope despite adversity.

And this is only the beginning.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗜 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝘂𝗲

Jake will always be my reason for starting.

But he is no longer the only reason I keep going.

Today, I carry this bath tub for every parent who is grieving.

For every person who believes they are beyond help.

For every family trying to hold themselves together.

For every child who still needs their mum.

For every dad who thinks nobody would miss him.

For every young person who cannot yet see tomorrow.

As much as we wish we could bring back those we've lost, we cannot.

What we can do is fight for those who are still here.

Help people rediscover their worth.

Help them learn to enjoy life again despite adversity.

Help them keep choosing to stay.

Because your future matters.

Your family matters.

Your life matters.

And if my miles can help even one more person believe that about themselves...

Then every single step is worth it.

Thank you for believing in this mission and for walking beside us.