In Memory of the 'Marvel' that was COREY BRANDON POTTER

About Corey....

Corey was funny, enjoyed joking around, he was very smart and had a lovely cheeky smile. He loved doing puzzles, all kinds of puzzles, the more detailed and intricate the better and he would do them with ease. He also shared his dads interest in superhero comics and films.
He was a trekkie and liked all things sci-fi. He watched and could talk nonstop about the plots and possible sequels to anything sci-fi, Marvel and DC Comic related. We would spend days after watching a new Marvel film or spin off talking and messaging each other with thoughts and reviews. Yes I am also a trekkie, Marvel, Superhero and sci-fi fan. We both got hooked on them by Corey's dad, my brother Alf.

The day Corey lost his smile...

On 23rd March 2020 when the Government introduced restrictions to curb the spread of the Covid Pandemic, no-one knew how bad things would get let alone how quickly the seriousness of the illness would hit our family. On the 8th June 2020 Corey's dad Alf died of covid he was 56 years old. That's the day Corey lost his smile. They were so close understandably the sudden death of his dad came as a huge blow. Alf was my brother and Maxine's uncle. Before 'family bubbles' were introduced, the ongoing Government imposed restrictions for people to isolate during the pandemic kept our family apart during this time, the funeral and for many months afterwards.  This was very detrimental to Coreys mental state as he lived alone. It became apparent from daily conversations and messages that his mental health was getting worse and he needed some help. As everyone knows health and social care services were bursting at the seams and impossible to access at this time. As a family we tried Health and Social Care Organisations and Charities, everyone and everything we could to try and get him some help. It worked for a while although there were good days and bad days; good weeks and bad weeks; even good months and bad months. During the good times, Coreys smile came back :) We enjoyed Christmas 2021 together but soon after Coreys birthday in December, he told us that one of his friends had died over Christmas. From the start of the new year, Corey's mental health took a downward turn. We frantically pulled together to reach out for help, but we couldn't bring his smile back this time and Corey took his own life at home aged just 25yrs old on 8th February 2022.

Suicide more common than we knew…. World Suicide Prevention Day 10th September 2022

Suicide is more common than any of us dare think especially amongst young men. World Suicide Prevention Day started in 2003 and is an Awareness Raising Day observed on 10th September every year.  Activities take place all over the World to mark the day and provide worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides.    It’s shocking and really sad when you read about suicide in the media, but the gut-wrenching sadness thinking about how Corey must have felt in those last moments; what he was going through in silence when he kept telling us he was ok; the fact he did not want to live any more and saw suicide as the only option - it never truly hits home until that day when it’s no longer someone on the TV but it’s your young very much loved family member.

Dear Friends….

Corey was loved by our family and following his death we realised just how much he was also loved by his friends who unbeknown to us were also trying to get him help and support at his lowest times right upto his final days. They too were in shock at Corey’s death and organised a celebration of his life at both venues where he used to work, going out of their way to contact family, friends, co-workers even some of Corey’s primary and senior school friends. Their outpouring of love for Corey is evident from the ’Coreys World’ tribute they have made to him on his final resting place. Thankyou Dwayne, Kyle, Moan, Teresa, Jordan and all of Coreys friends so much for your friendship, love and efforts to help Corey.

The fundraising challenge….Maxine's 10k & Martha's Great North Run 

In memory of Corey and to help others who are struggling with their mental health Maxine wanted to do something in memory of Corey and to try to help others who may also be in his position and I wanted to help too.  We have set ourselves a challenge which we hope you will support us with by donating and if you can joining in.  

On 10th September 2022 which is World Suicide Prevention Day, Maxine will be running 10k around West Park at 10.15am starting from the entrance opposite Connaught Road, Wolverhampton which she has been training for and will be the longest distance by some way that she has ever run. The day after on 11th September 2022. I will be doing the Great North Run and completing 13.1 miles which some will know I have completed before and really enjoy it. I am not a 'natural runner' therein lies the challenge.  With the support of family, friends and well wishers we hope to raise funds for ACCI and raise awareness around suicide prevention and the support that is available locally. 

ACCI our chosen Charity.....

ACCI is a local Wolverhampton based charity that provides holistic and comprehensive support services for the whole community where individuals, family members and friends have been affected by mental ill health. They have operated in the City for nearly 40 years. Their main focus is the African Caribbean Community where there are high levels of mental ill-health primarily in young men, however their doors have always been open to all members of the community. For many who feel so down that they see suicide as the only option, it’s rarely something that could have been foreseen by those closest to them and the shock of having someone suddenly missing from your life is devastating. We take some comfort in knowing family and friends all tried to help Corey and we will be forever grateful that ACCI responded to our call for help and tried to help Corey and us all in our time of need. Thankyou ACCI.

Till we meet again, for now rest in Corey's World of Fun and Peace X

If you would like to learn more about
ACCI please follow the link here at ACCI