My adored youngest son Zak was known as "Sunshine" and "Skippy", and we used to say that he was born with his smile. However, without warning, on 1 March 2021, Zak killed himself. 

He was 14 years old.

Our happy, loving boy had discovered that his online boyfriend was a fake scammer. This person blackmailed Zak over a photo and encouraged him to kill himself. And in a panic, without reaching out to anyone, that is what Zak did. 

It still seems unreal that such evil could reach into our home. But since that night, we have also seen incredible goodness.  We have had support from friends, family and colleagues.

Special thanks go to the Samaritans, who I think of as saints. In my own worst times since Zak's death, I have had to call them several times. In my experience, the volunteers listen without judgement, let you talk and can help you back from the edge if you reach desperation. 

The statistics

• Every 90 minutes, someone in the UK / Ireland takes their life
• The statistics in many countries are even worse
• Every 10 seconds, Samaritans responds to a call for help.

Fundraising goal

We want to raise as much money as possible for Samaritans to fund their vital services. If they can help just one person or prevent one family from terrible loss, then that is an achievement.

Nearly 20,000 volunteers give their time to Samaritans and undertake the incredible work of handling calls. It costs the Samaritans around £500 per hour in the UK just to keep their services going including their physical centres and giving training and support. 

The hike

The Camino de Santiago pilgrimage in Northern Spain is one of the world's most iconic hikes. For Samaritans I will do the full route from France to Santiago in May-June 2023.  This is around 800km officially, but more than 1000km total walking.

I will mainly walk alone, other than with JuanJo at the start plus Zak's brothers for the finish.  If you want to join me for any parts of it, please contact me via our website and I will send details.

www.santiagoforsamaritans.com 

**Update** I am now on the hike. There is a blog with photos on the website above for anyone who wants to see.

Why this is so important

Many suicides are by people who have struggled with mental health.  A few, like Zak, are instead "impulsive" acts as a result of a particular event.  Services like Samaritans can make a difference in both cases. 

Share and donate!

This is the first time that we, Zak's family, have disclosed this publicly. We have done so despite our wish for privacy because it is so vital to raise funding and awareness for Samaritans.  

Please donate generously and share this page with everyone you know and on social media!

All money donated through this page goes directly and automatically to the UK registered charity "Samaritans" from Justgiving.