Sylvie's fundraiser for The Grace Dear Trust
Sylvie Townsend is raising money for The Grace Dear Trust
Story
Our charity was set up after losing our beloved daughter and sister, Grace Dear, to suicide aged just 27 in
February 2017. Grace had been suffering with depression and anxiety from the age of 13, but hadn’t felt she could reach out to anyone to help her make sense of her feelings. Not knowing why she felt the way she did, she suffered in silence for many years.
Our trust works to educate young people, encouraging them to talk about their feelings and make mental health an everyday topic of conversation. "it's ok not to be ok"
With my 60th fast approaching I have decided to devote this milestone to finding ways of raising money for ‘The Grace Dear Trust’. About 18th months ago, we were introduced to the Trust by our close friend Andrew who is a trustee of ‘The Grace Dear Trust’ as Grace worked in his office when she sadly took her own life. Max had been suffering with his mental health for so long that we were desperate to find a way to help him. The trust very kindly agreed to help us and this has allowed Max to be seen by a highly qualified therapist on a once a week basis for six months. Having access to therapy once a week was invaluable and still is for Max and to us, as, the constant crisis in his life became less and less frequent and it has encouraged him to talk about how he feels rather than get himself into terrible and dangerous situations. We were so grateful to the Trust and have since learnt a lot about their work which helps young people like Max know that it is ok to ask for help and support. I had always said that when our lives were at a more settled stage I would try and raise money which will help the trust carry on their fantastic work. I am not a runner and I have in the past done sponsored swims and cycled over 14 London bridges so what was I to do!!! I first decided that I would tell my friends that I would rather not have presents for my 60th but would really appreciate a donation to the Trust instead. I then thought that this alone might not be enough for the amount I am hoping to raise. So, here is my other mad idea!! On the 20th of August I have signed up to do a self-funded Tandem Sky Dive and all of you who know me will appreciate that this is definitely a mad idea as I can’t stand heights and I am really not a dare devil. Why August when my birthday is in the middle of June, well I figured that it would be nice to be 60 for at least 3 months!!! So, to all my friends, if you feel inclined please kindly donate on this page and help me raise money for ‘The Grace Dear Trust’ as this would mean the world to me. Thanking you in advance for your support! Sylvie xx