Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Sadly, I lost my mum, Arlene (Lene), in 2023 to suicide 🪽 ❤️ I am taking part in the Mighty Stride Glasgow Kiltwalk on April 28th 2024 in memory of her and to raise funds for Beautiful Inside and Out (SCIO), which is a charity who helps the loved ones left behind after suicide, particularly the children.

It is difficult to find the right help when you have lost someone to suicide. Often times, there is a waiting list or you are asked to wait a year before getting help. But once I was directed to Beautiful Inside & Out, they were quick to offer options of in-person Counselling, Play Therapy for children and finding a professional near to you. I truly am grateful to this Charity. Their empathy and mission shines so brightly. (more on what the charity does at the bottom)

I would be so grateful if you could donate anything, big or small, every penny helps in helping a child or adult dealing with the complex emotions after losing someone to suicide.

Message on Kindness and Changing the Stigma🦋

My mum was a very bubbly, kind and life of the party type of person. She always had a smile on her face and acted the clown. So her taking her own life, was an indescribable shock.

The point I’m trying to make is you never truly know what someone is going through, even if you’re the closest person to them. So wherever possible, CHOOSE KINDNESS.

I have a few people around me who have suffered a loss due to suicide and met many more this year. And sadly, the stigma attached to suicide very much still exists.

I get that you can never truly understand someone else’s pain, unless you have experienced it yourself. But this stigma HAS to change. When someone takes their own life, it’s usually because they are in so much emotional / physical pain and want that pain to stop, among many other complex reasons that are unique to them, and often times they genuinely believe that people would be better off without them (when this couldn’t be farther from the truth). It’s not selfish, it’s heartbreaking💔

My mum did so much good for others throughout her entire life, often thinking of herself last. It’s important to put yourself first, especially when it comes to your wellbeing.

The simplest act of kindness, even to strangers, can have such a positive impact on someone’s day that may help them in ways you couldn’t even imagine.

If you’re struggling with your mental health or thoughts of suicide and I know you hear it all the time, but we mean it, please talk. Talk to someone you trust, talk to the right professional and please ask for help. I promise you that you are loved and there’s always another way out of this feeling / circumstance that does not involve you leaving this world ❤️

Be kind, especially to yourself ❤️

See below how the charity works:

To advance the saving of lives by:

-enabling and encouraging young people to have a voice in a safe environment, to express concerns, anxieties or problems that cause them distress and lead to negative emotions;

-developing and providing, for example, drama workshops training programs to promote suicide awareness among young people and educators, with a view to providing an outlet for expressing anxiety and depression, or suicidal tendencies, as well as providing professional advice for concerned parents and or educators.

To advance the relief of those in need by reason of age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage by:

-promoting the emotional, psychological and physical well-being of parents, their families and friends when a son or daughter dies through the act of suicide;

-providing, for example, on-line support, face-to-face support, information and group meetings to help those bereaved by the death of a child through suicide, with the option of specialised counselling for parents and siblings;

-working in collaboration with police, health and social care professionals to improve and enhance professional practice when liaising with bereaved parents and children suicide victims.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

Link to charities Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/beautifulinsideandoutscio