A Lancaster mum will take part in a fundraising walk in memory of her teenage son who took his own life aged 16.
Rebecca Gudgeon will join communities up and down the country taking to the streets for the Lost Hours Walk in memory of friends and family who have died by suicide.
Her son Thomas took his own life in March of this year.
Thomas was doing well at sixth form, had good friends, and seemed to be a happy and resilient young man. He loved board games, Minecraft, and had a passion for science. His death came as a complete shock to his friends and family.
“Thomas and I were close and we talked together about all sorts of things, but I had absolutely no idea he was thinking of taking his own life," said Rebecca.
"I wish he had spoken to someone about how he felt, and that he hadn’t been alone with his suffering.
"I want to do anything I can to let everyone know it’s OK to struggle, and it’s OK to ask for help. If we can make a difference to just one person, then it will be worth it."
Rebecca decided to organise a Lost Hours Walk on Sunday October 23 as a way of remembering Thomas whilst also raising awareness of the help offered by CALM, the Campaign Against Living Miserably.
Her route will take her on a circuit around Lancaster, passing the city’s high schools as a message of solidarity to local teenagers.
She has invited others to join her on the walk or get involved in some other way, such as by cheering the walkers along their route.
125 people take their own lives every single week in the UK, and only a third of people who die by suicide have been in contact with specialist mental health services in the year before their death.
This is why people will not only be walking to remember loved ones lost to suicide, but also to raise awareness and funds for CALM’s helpline services which provide vital support for people who are struggling.
Whether you’ve lost someone to suicide, struggled with your own mental wellbeing, or want to smash the silence around suicide in the UK, there’s still time to be part of the Lost Hours Walk.
It’s for everyone, no matter your age, gender, ability or motivation. To plan your walk, see the website here.
Your walk can be any distance and in any location. CALM suggest walking against suicide on October 29/30, as this is the day the clock goes back, but you can opt to do it anytime during October or November, and once you’ve signed up, you’ll be able to recruit friends and family to join you on your journey, and you’ll receive loads of information from CALM to help plan and prepare.
Rebecca said: "Every week in the UK over 100 people take their own lives; individuals who couldn’t see a way out - but there is always hope, always a reason for living.
"If you’re struggling, please turn to CALM for help and advice. No matter who you are or what you're going through, it’s there for you, and it's free, anonymous and confidential.”
Simon Gunning, CEO at CALM, said: “In the face of rising costs and households being squeezed to breaking point, more and more people are turning to CALM, which is why now more than ever we need to unite against suicide.
"Since we started The Lost Hours Walk in 2019 people have raised over £826,000, enough to help fund 103,248 potentially life-saving calls and webchats.
"Taking on a Lost Hours Walk will help us continue to be there for anyone who’s struggling. Every walk raises vital funds for our life-saving helpline and webchat, helping us to be there for anyone who needs us.”
To find out more about Rebecca’s Lost Hours Walk, or to make a donation, see her JustGiving page here.
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