Just giving story

Thank you for taking time to visit our Just Giving Page.

We are launching Alan’s 57 in memory of our Daddy Alan, who tragically took his own life in March this year.

Alan was 56 years old. He had a loving family, that he doted on, a wife and two daughters, who loved him dearly. Alan had lots of friends and enjoyed a very busy and fabulous social life.

Physically he took great care of himself, health and fitness were very important to him. Alan was a regular at the gym. He enjoyed cycling both in the UK and abroad with friends.

Exploring the great outdoors was something he had a passion for, since being a little boy. He loved to plan hikes for family and friends in the Lakes and Dales. He loved animals, especially dogs and was well known for greeting the dog before their owner. One of his first jobs was leading gorilla safaris in Uganda combining his love of wildlife with that of travel and exploring.

Alan was extremely clever with his hands. He was a fantastic artist and skilled in carpentry and painting. He used these talents to create his very successful business and his work can be seen in homes all around the country.

To others it looked like Alan had a perfect life and so much to live for. But on the 23rd of March he chose to leave this ‘perfect’ life behind. Alan taking his own life was completely out of the blue, it was a total shock to all who knew him and we probably never know or understand why. Losing a family member is heart breaking but when they’ve chosen to end their own life it is utterly devastating. Never did we think this would happen to our family but it shows that suicide can affect anyone!

Alan excelled at everything he did. However, it is clear that he was not able to or felt it was right to talk about emotions and concerns. Whatever he was struggling with, he chose to struggle with it alone. There were so many people in his life, there to listen, if only he’d felt able to reach out.

As family and friends of Alan we are carrying out numerous challenges to raise money to support those struggling with their mental health. These challenges will take place over a twelve month period, beginning in September 2025, Alan’s birthday month, when he would have been 57. Hence why we have named our fundraising group Alan’s 57.

Our first challenges take place in the beginning of September and include, one of his daughters taking part in the Great North run, family members from Scotland walking St Cuthbert’s way and his sister doing 1 million steps in 30 days.

The two charities that we are fundraising for, support people struggling with their mental health and support men in particular.

We would like donations to be split equally across both charities.

Andy’s Man Club is a UK based men’s suicide prevention charity, which holds weekly meetings across the whole country. It gives men the opportunity to meet with peers and open up about storms affecting their lives. AMC believes in helping men through power of conversation and to let them know ‘Its ok to talk.’

The Samaritans is a UK charity that provides immediate, emotional support for people struggling with difficult times. Their support is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week through a helpline, email, letters and in person visits.

Thank you for reading our story and for your support.