On Tuesday 2nd January 2024, Lawrie, my sister’s youngest son, found the challenges of life too much. Challenges we all face, but that at the age of 17, he felt unable to deal with. I am running a 15-mile race along Offa’s Dyke starting from Hay - on - Wye, on 15th June to raise money for The Russ Devereux Headlight Project, a charity that is now supporting my sister. The charity aims to reduce deaths due to suicide in the Tees Valley, where Lawrie lived, by providing therapy to those bereaved by suicide and delivering preventative education and training to schools, local businesses and the community.

When someone takes their own life, there’s a ripple effect of grief that reaches far beyond immediate family and friends. I hope that this fundraising and the spreading of this message will create some ripples that reach those that need it most.

Lawrie was ambitious, funny, open to opportunities, a talented and passionate cyclist and highly thought of by his teachers and many friends. But despite this, he found life too difficult.

Sharing some of my sister’s words from Lawrie's memorial service – "We have to look after each other, be kind to each other. Being kind can take great bravery. Asking someone how they are is an act of kindness and in doing this, we open ourselves up to the possibility that they may not just say 'Fine thanks, how are you?' Never be afraid of asking 'How are you really?' Even if you and your friends don't have those types of conversations; just ask anyway… Lawrie found this hard to do but it's so important”

We miss you Lawrie.

Thank you for reading this and, if you are able to, for donating to an amazing cause.

Jon