When a loved one dies, the loss is shattering. When that loved one took their own life or died through self-harming, or substance use, people just don’t know what to say. It’s those conversations that keep memories alive and allow us to come to terms with how we can live our lives with them still with us, even if they don’t journey by our side anymore.
The death of a child changes one’s life as profoundly as their birth and we can never be the person we once were.
In September 2018 I started to plan a cycle ride with my son Zachary from Manchester, where he lived, to Lefkada in Greece, where I live, hoping that giving him something positive to focus on in the future was a good way to help him win his fight with depression. Unfortunately, in February 2019 my worst fears were realised when my beautiful son was found dead.
Now I have started planning to do the ride by myself in his memory and I am inviting women who have lost a man from their life to suicide or self-harm to ‘Talk and Ride’ with me to keep the conversations about those loved ones alive and to raise money for charity.
Starting on Mother’s Day (22nd March) in the UK and finishing in Greece on Greek Mother’s Day (10th May). The route will cover over 3,600 km and pass through several European countries along the way where we will attempt to do as much talking, learning and awareness raising as we can.
