Sarah Atkins
Running for Sarah-Jane
Fundraising for SANE
Story
On 12 May 2011 I was two days into my new job. I was told a lady from our Norwich office would be visiting and would also pass on my new work mobile. As I was stood at the top of the stairs in the Northgate Street office a woman appeared carrying a Blackberry box and introduced herself as Sarah-Jane. She said she'd help me settle in and she could help with anything I needed.
During 2013 we worked together on a special project and I was out of my depth on a couple of issues. Sarah-Jane worked alongside me and helped me grapple with some new areas of work and discreetly made sure I had her support. At the same time she was working hard to keep fit and look great for her wedding and my constant trips to the chip shop at lunch amused her as she ate yet another salad and told me about the running she was doing.
On 4 June 2015 I emailed the department to say I was handing in my notice for a new job. I'd been really happy with my decision up until then but as I typed Sarah-Jane's name into the address I started to get upset. She hadn't been herself lately and I was worried.
On 15 October 2015 she left me a voicemail about what she was up to. She didn't sound right and things weren't going well for her.
On 18 July 2016 I was on a walk and decided to call Sarah-Jane and see how she was getting on. She said she needed a bit of help with some mental health issues but things were complicated. I now know she felt unable to tell me the whole truth about what was happening. . She promised me she was taking care of herself and said she was impressed I was out exercising. No more visits to the chip shop!
Sarah-Jane said goodbye to everyone 5 days later and because of this I'd like to raise money for SANE, a charity that supports mental health. She was my friend, peer and HR conscience. Those key dates above are just a snap shot of how her life changed slowly. She was an inspired professional and so very caring. I remember her being very upset when Paul Walker died for example, she'd absorb so much emotion from a situation.. She struggled so much and had so much love for everyone else. As somebody said when she died, she just didn't hold enough love back for herself.
I'll be completing The Boss Hog. It's an 8 mile mud run course on 15 October. I'm not quite sure how I'll manage it but I will. I can imagine her reading this now, chewing her lip while she concentrated on it then laughing, I really can still hear that laugh.
Goodnight my Rodney xx
"It's been a long day without you, my friend
And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
We've come a long way from where we began
I'll tell you all about it when I see you again"
During 2013 we worked together on a special project and I was out of my depth on a couple of issues. Sarah-Jane worked alongside me and helped me grapple with some new areas of work and discreetly made sure I had her support. At the same time she was working hard to keep fit and look great for her wedding and my constant trips to the chip shop at lunch amused her as she ate yet another salad and told me about the running she was doing.
On 4 June 2015 I emailed the department to say I was handing in my notice for a new job. I'd been really happy with my decision up until then but as I typed Sarah-Jane's name into the address I started to get upset. She hadn't been herself lately and I was worried.
On 15 October 2015 she left me a voicemail about what she was up to. She didn't sound right and things weren't going well for her.
On 18 July 2016 I was on a walk and decided to call Sarah-Jane and see how she was getting on. She said she needed a bit of help with some mental health issues but things were complicated. I now know she felt unable to tell me the whole truth about what was happening. . She promised me she was taking care of herself and said she was impressed I was out exercising. No more visits to the chip shop!
Sarah-Jane said goodbye to everyone 5 days later and because of this I'd like to raise money for SANE, a charity that supports mental health. She was my friend, peer and HR conscience. Those key dates above are just a snap shot of how her life changed slowly. She was an inspired professional and so very caring. I remember her being very upset when Paul Walker died for example, she'd absorb so much emotion from a situation.. She struggled so much and had so much love for everyone else. As somebody said when she died, she just didn't hold enough love back for herself.
I'll be completing The Boss Hog. It's an 8 mile mud run course on 15 October. I'm not quite sure how I'll manage it but I will. I can imagine her reading this now, chewing her lip while she concentrated on it then laughing, I really can still hear that laugh.
Goodnight my Rodney xx
"It's been a long day without you, my friend
And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
We've come a long way from where we began
I'll tell you all about it when I see you again"