We are grateful for donations to The Pain Relief Foundation and Papyrus Prevention of Young Suicide so they can help other vibrant people like Charlie ~ Our husband, brother, nephew, step-son and friend.

Charlie suffered with undiagnosed pain for about 4 years. He invested much time pursuing the health system, chasing up tests and results to find possible different causes. The doctors could not find what was wrong. It was suggested to Charlie that it might be fibromyalgia. He couldn't accept this as it is a very broad term and comes with neither solutions nor cures.

Charlie tried many, many different lifestyle changes and remedies to lessen his pain. The pains stopped him doing many things he loved, like playing guitar and computer games, and caused him worry about his future livelihood. He said "I feel like you can drive yourself mad looking for a diagnosis, but equally ignoring something that feels so prominent is not the answer either". The glimmers of hope faded and Charlie didn't open up about his suicidal feelings, and it is such a tragic waste that Charlie took his life.

He wrote: "I feel shit for feeling like this but I can't avoid it. I don't know what I should try and I don't know who to talk to about it. I feel really guilty for not enjoying life like it seems those around me are". We lost Charlie forever with these thoughts... and it is so heartbreaking to know he was lost in flawed thinking and as he had so many people who wanted to help him. We find ourselves stunned in disbelief, especially as Charlie lost his mum this way and he had been so against this path. So far as we can tell, he didn't explore any talking mental health services and didn't have a conversation with another human being about the extent of the pain and the final choice he was deliberating.

With this in mind, please consider making a donation to one of these two charities, which will help other vibrant, loved, young men like Charlie to find a different path. We would like it if donations were more or less even, but please choose as you prefer. n.b. there are two links below which can't be labelled very well due to the limitations of Just Giving, but the top is for the Pain Foundation and the 2nd for Papyrus. If you click on each link you will be able to read a bit more about that charity and see some more bonus photos of lovely Charlie!

1st: THE PAIN RELIEF FOUNDATION was established in response to the need for specialised research into the causes and treatment of chronic pain in people like Charlie.

2nd: PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide is the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people. Suicide is the biggest killer of people aged 35 and under in the UK. We believe that suicide is preventable. If you are having thoughts of suicide or are concerned for a young person who might be we urge you to contact HOPELINEUK for confidential support and practical advice. Call: 0800 068 4141 , Text: 07860039967 , Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org