On the 22nd June 2019, the date of the Great East Swim this year,
my brother Carl would have been celebrating his 52nd birthday. 

But he struggled with mental health illness and despite fighting hard, his illness got progressively worse during 2015 and 2016.  On the 20th September 2016 he took his own life.  Carl, was a dedicated family man and awarded dog handler in the Police, and my very special 'lil bro (even though he was my big bro!).

MIND the Mental Health Charity, supports blue light workers with their programme www.mind.org.uk/news-campaigns/campaigns/bluelight/  - 1 in 4 blue light workers will suffer mental health illness.  MIND challenge the stigma of mental health illness, and support those who suffer.

Suffolk MIND support people living with mental health illness locally.  This year I am supporting this charity www.suffolkmind.org.uk . 

Please, lets stop the stigma of mental health illness.

Its OK not to be OK.  Rock on 'lil bro, rock on!