Well we did it!! 33km carrying the burden for mental health in Andrew’s memory.
Remember everyone, “You are enough, just as you are.” #togetherwecancrosstheline #Fordrew #mentalhealthmatters #carrytheburdenformentalhealth
On April 18, 2021, my friend Joanne lost her brother Andrew, at only 30 years of age to suicide. Andrew was a remarkable man. Always full of life, the epitome of being the life and soul of the party; but sadly, his hidden struggles simply consumed him.
Three years on, Joanne has organised what has become an annual event; having completed personal challenges, fundraisers; just anything to raise funds towards charities that support mental health awareness and particularly suicide prevention. We have also tried each year to do our bit to remember Andrew and with mental health awareness being another passion for us we are always more than willing to get involved.
On April 20, 2024; a few of us are walking 20.8 miles (just over 33km – 30 for Drew’s age and 3 for the anniversary of his passing) but for most of the journey we will be dragging/carrying a car tyre along for the ride; symbolising the strain that mental health issues have on the people suffering from it.
We will be visiting Dovestones; completing 3 laps of the reservoir; again, to mark 3 years, also Hartshead Pike and passing by Andrew’s childhood home, finally completing the challenge at the fundraiser evening that Joanne is holding at Syke’s Bar in Stalybridge. All places were loved by Drew and Dovestones and Hartshead Pike being two of the last places that he visited with his sisters, nieces, and nephews in the last few months of his life and where he enjoyed time with them
