We are attempting these challenges in memory of our dad who tragically took his own life in March 2022, and are raising money for the Birmingham Mind charity who has been offering mental health services to adults in the Midlands since 1962.

Our dad was a loving husband and father, my mom, brother, sister and me were so lucky to have in our lives. His main goal in life was to be a good dad, which he excelled at; he brought nothing but happiness into our lives with his infectious personality and terrible jokes. We had no idea that our dad was ever suffering and only noticed a slight change in the way he was in the last week of his life. We could have never imagined that our dad was ever contemplating taking his own life, let alone actually going through with it.

It has left a massive hole in our lives that will never be filled. Our dad had so much more left to do and see in his life and it kills us everyday that he felt like that was his only option. Nobody should feel like suicide is the only option to them, more needs to be done to raise awareness for people to speak openly about how they are feeling and receive the support to allow them to carry on living.

By completing these challenges this year, me and my family are trying to bring about something positive from this horrendous situation. This man deserves to be honoured and celebrated, so we will ensure that he continues to live his life through us now.

If this money and this story can help even one person, one family from going through what my family has, then highlighting this is well worth it.

Challenges completed in 2023:

- Birmingham Half Marathon (Sunday 7th May)

- Manchester Half Marathon (Sunday 21st May)

- 1 Mile Great North Swim Lake Windermere (Saturday 8th June)

- 135 mile bike ride from Great Barr to Weston-super-Mare (26-27th July)

- Chester Full Marathon (Sunday 8th October)

Challenges for 2024:

- Cannock Chase 10k and Half Marathon (Sunday 14th April)

- Wolf Run 10K (Sunday 28th April)

- Birmingham Half Marathon (Sunday 5th May)