Seven friends from university (Dan Fitzgerald, Callum Grant, Alex Romanos, Lewis Prosser, Blaine Cartin, Chris Harding and Kieran McCauley) are attempting to run 100 miles as quickly as possible on 6 August. Running each leg in pairs or threes, each team member will end up running over a marathon.

We will be running along the coast line between Worthing and Shoreham-by-Sea. We will start at 05:00 in the morning and continue throughout the day until we complete 100 miles.

We are attempting this challenge in memory of Dan's brother Sean Fitzgerald, who tragically took his own life in June 2021, and are raising money for the Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide charity who do great work supporting the friends and family members who are directly impacted by suicide loss.

Dan takes up the story about his brother below:

On 19th June my brother Sean Fitzgerald went out for some drinks in London with his friend. He was laughing and joking, talking about the future and about his travelling plans that summer. After leaving the pub he arranged to meet the same friend in 2 weeks time for another catch up. That night or in the early hours of Sunday morning, Sean went home and hung himself - official death 20th June.

Sean has become another statistic in suicide being the biggest killer of men under 45. There were no signs, no indications that Sean was planning this or had been thinking about doing this for some time. He was full of energy and surrounded by a great group of friends yet he decided to end his life. We have all read stories about people taking their own life but never think it will happen to us despite the sorrow we feel for those going through the ordeal. Yet, when it does happen to your family, it is devastating, leaving a gap that will never be filled. 

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. 

Survivors Of Bereavement By Suicide (SOBS) hosts support groups, online zoom sessions and create a safe community for those impacted by suicide to speak openly without judgment. They support families by allowing people who are all connected by this tragedy to share stories and coping mechanisms ultimately allowing some comfort to those left behind. 

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.

Fundamentally, men need support and need to be able to speak up and acknowledge when they are not ok. Me and my 6 pals who are  running these 100 miles are showing that together we are stronger and there is always someone willing to help or listen to you. You are not alone, please speak up and please seek help if you are struggling. People love you and want to help, just reach out.

Thank you for reading Sean's story and thank you for donating.