Run, Cycle or Walk to May 24th in memory of friend and colleague, Chris Wiles.

“CHUMS Charity” provides mental health and emotional wellbeing services for children and young people.

Chris joined our team as senior construction manager in February 2018, we worked side by side for not much more than a year but long enough to know that Chris was not simply a work mate but a friend. He was honest, hardworking and kind, he was also a good friend to his friends and a loving father and husband – this is true because he shared stories of the people that mattered most to him, and always spoke with meaning. He also enjoyed a glass of red and was a dedicated Park-Runner; he jokingly imagined what his run-time would be if he didn’t enjoy a glass of red the night before. He did however manage to forego the red in the run up to beating his best 10km run (he sent me a screenshot of his time), which he was very happy with, Chris was dedicated to anything he perused. This is how he is remembered.

One year ago, Chris, tragically died during a mental health crisis. A crisis can and will affect all of us at some point in our lives, they come unexpected and hit hard. The tragedy is that a crisis will largely leave great changes in its wake, changes we are not prepared for, and seemingly occur without reason.

A mental health crisis can be the hardest because it is conventionally hidden, it can be difficult for the sufferer to understand and express, and for those witnessing it can leave a feeling of helplessness and confusion. There may be very complex circumstances involved that deserve thought but never blame. Compassion and consideration are however, within reach of all of us, and for the more complex issues there are professionals who are there to support.

“CHUMS Charity” was chosen by Chris’s family in recognition of the good work they do for families and young people in a time of crisis.

The challenge is to just move! To get out, socially distanced of course! to get out and move for your daily exercise, give yourself a challenge, beat your time, do any time, do something!

I will be Commuting for Chris. I am challenging myself to cycle to work (albeit working from home) everyday with a final 50km spin on Sunday 24th May, on the anniversary of Chris’s memorial. I won’t literally be cycling to the project site, but I will cycle a local route in the morning and evening of each working day to the 24th of May.

Please join me and Chris’s colleagues at Mace in moving, or just move some money CHUMS’ way to help a good cause at a time when their services will be needed now more than ever. And in memory of Chris and anyone suffering a life changing crisis.

About the the CHUMS Appeal

With the addition of another member of staff, we will be able to be more effective and available to support bereaved familes. With 8 sucides in March and 9 in April, we are struggling to provide sufficient and immediate support to the families and close networks. It is now far too big a job for one person. With more hours, we can also start to provide more prevention support in schools. The Bedforshire Suicide Bereavement Service offers support from an experienced practitioner through the initial weeks when everything else feels too difficult and confusing. This support is not therapeutic but a 'holding' hand at a time when things feel really tough. The practitioner may help with practical issues such as offering support with regards to the inquest.
Your donation will help to fund the BSBS service and continue to give families the support they need during such a difficult time of their lives.