5 Years since Gary Speed's death

[SwissBlade]

It dawned on me a few days ago on World Mental Health day, that on 27th November 2016, it will be 5 years since Gary Speed ended his own life. Not sure why, perhaps because he had, seemingly everything to live for and perhaps because I considered him to be one of us. I remember seeing the news at the time and how much it affected me then and now.

It seems that so many people have suffered with mental health issues, to varying degrees, this forum being no exception, with one or two posters giving their direct or indirect experiences of how tragic Mental Health issues can be.

So in the 49 days between World Mental Health Day until Speed's 5 year Anniversary, i have decided to run an average of 5KM per day. Rather than being a huge event, i want to do something which people see on a daily basis to keep the awareness during this time.

For those that wish to donate or follow progress, please see my just giving page and the link to the Mental Health Foundation below:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Marc-Smith21

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/

Cheers

 

[moDtheGod]

Chucked a small token your way. Will share on FB as well. Good idea, good cause.

 

[SwissBlade]

Chucked a small token your way. Will share on FB as well. Good idea, good cause.

Thanks fella, much appreciated.

 

[Notts Blade]

Nice idea, really good cause. Will donate and share as well.

 

[SwissBlade]

Nice idea, really good cause. Will donate and share as well.

Brilliant! Thank you!

 

[stringjunior]

For a minute there I thought I had to donate a fiver a day for 49 days.... Couple of quid on its way.

 

[Chali 2na]

Well done mate, a very good cause.

It's easy for someone who's never experienced mental health issues (directly or indirectly) to not understand, you hear "cowards way out" or "he was doing great, why would he take his own life" but it's really not that simple.

In a time where someone who's had a bad day proclaims they're depressed, it's easy to grow callous to mental health issues but while ever suicide is the biggest killer of men under 50, it's a problem and one that needs curbing.

So again, well done.

 

[SwissBlade]

Well done mate, a very good cause.

It's easy for someone who's never experienced mental health issues (directly or indirectly) to not understand, you hear "cowards way out" or "he was doing great, why would he take his own life" but it's really not that simple.

In a time where someone who's had a bad day proclaims they're depressed, it's easy to grow callous to mental health issues but while ever suicide is the biggest killer of men under 50, it's a problem and one that needs curbing.

So again, well done.

This deserves a double like!

 

[SK10Blade]

A hidden illness that can hit anyone at any time, well done, donation on it's way.

 

[FlamingLip]

Great effort and great cause. Will donate later tonight.

 

[SwissBlade]

Thanks for all the donations so far! Already reached £500!

Anyone else want to join the challenge? Walking, running or crawling will do!

 

[Isar]

Great idea and good luck with the runs A donation to a worthy cause.

 

[SwissBlade]

Challenge completed, although had to extend the challenge by a couple of days as I was travelling back to Iraq on Sunday/ Monday.

Thanks for all the donations!