BREAK THE SILENCE with Kerrie & Shannon for Mind
Shannon Deakins is raising money for Mind
In memory of Michelle Fletcher
Story
On the 15th November 2024 we sadly lost a sister/friend to suicide. Michelle was 37 years of age and a loving mother to her daughter Brooke. Unfortunately she battled with her mental health for many years which ended in her taking her own life.
Many of you who knew Michelle would know she was a kind soul who would do anything for anyone, no matter the time of day or the favour being asked of her. She was fiercely loyal and always wanted to make everyone around her smile.
Michelle was the biggest advocate for mental health awareness having experienced first hand the devastation it can cause to others, she always checked in on those who she knew were suffering and never gave up on anyone. However, Michelle unfortunately didn't reach out in her final moments. Since the events in November occurred we as family and her friends have found out that because suicide is preventable the biggest tool to prevent this is communication whether that be to loved ones or professionals. There are many amazing charities that support people in their time of need, such as MIND who we will be raising money for.
Our aim to complete a skydive not only to raise money for MIND but to encourage people to talk and know that they are not alone is our mission. Mental Health affects 1 in 4 people but sadly can still be stigmatised in society, changing this is something that is very close to our hearts.
Michelle completed a skydive herself in 2022 and had said it was the best thing she had done . She stated at the time that she was so proud of herself for overcoming her fear which is why we feel a skydive is the best way to honour Michelle's memory and raise awareness for an important cause. (although we are both petrified).
An individual message from us:
Kerrie:
"Losing Michelle has been one of the toughest challenges I have had to try and navigate through. She was more than a sister to me and she was purest soul who deserved so much more than she was dealt. She never failed to amaze me and she made me into the person I am today. Apart from my two amazing boys she was all the family I ever needed. Michelle will never know how truly loved she was and it breaks my heart knowing she will never get the chance to ask for help so my aim for this skydive is to raise awareness.
Any donations you may wish to give are hugely appreciated as this will be going to a charity helping others in a similar situation and hopefully will stop another family feeling the pain we have experienced but my main aim is to get people talking, get others to see that there s help and there can be another way. I wish Michelle took this path and she was here with us to live her life but I know her memory will encourage others to talk, to get through it, and to survive".
Shannon:
"Michelle's passing has hit me harder emotionally in some ways than the recent passing of my grandfather, her untimely passing has caused me to question and rethink so much about myself and this world. I've felt guilt, why wasn't I there for her, I've felt anger, why did she do this, but I've accepted that in her final moments I just wasn't there and I know now that she felt it was her only way but I never want for anyone else in this world to feel the way she did on that sad night in November. I want to breakdown the stigma and show people that there are people who are willing to listen to any one at any time about anything and I hope through this I can save even just one person from feeling they have no other option.
I'm doing this for Michelle, she'd have never wanted anyone to feel alone and I know she will be behind me in every step of this petrifying challenge, I understand some of you may not be in a position to donate but please read, follow, share and come along on this journey of crushing the stigma around mental health and suicide".
Thank you for joining our journey, reading Michelle's story and hopefully soon laughing at our G-force faces.
Kerrie-Ann and Shannon
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