Mary-Anne Gordon

I'm swimming in honour of TIMOTHY RUSS.

Timothy was 23 when he decided to quit drugs and start a new chapter. So he returned to the safe environment of his parents with his bags packed ready to go to Rehab. The wait to get in was 2 months. He didn't make it. He took his life and his parents found him in the garage when they arrived home. He was on his own in the house for 45 minutes when his mind overtook him. I met the family in the wake of his death: at his funeral and saw with my own eyes the incredibly hard road the family had to forge in the wake of Timothy's death. The loss by suicide is such a cruel one. So many unasked and unanswered questions for those left behind. And as a parent myself I cannot imagine the strength it must take parents in this position to have to pick up the pieces of their own shattered self and then "be there" for your remaining children. The change is permanent. The pain is real and it doesn't fade. I feel for people left behind to navigate their lives after a child or sibling suicides. One of the biggest issues the parents Carol and Mike found was the lack of awareness and support at the time of Tims passing and Carol became driven trying to make for changes in society in the midst of her grief. Young people are so important. They are our present joy and our future hope. I want young people to know how precious they are - people you don't even know are praying for you and deeply care about you. 

If you are struggling in any way PLEASE REACH OUT! 

More than 1 in 3 are experiencing mental health difficulties, yet over a million are not getting the support they need.

ReachOut provides anonymous, free and 100% online services so young people can find a safe place to connect, share and get help when life feels overwhelming.

I’m taking part in Laps for Life to make sure these vital services are always there. Please donate to my fundraiser and help more young people get the support they deserve.