Colleagues turn personal loss into positive action with 100-mile challenge

Two colleagues from Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors’ Penrith office are taking on a 100-mile walking challenge this November to raise money and awareness for the Mental Health Foundation, inspired by their own experiences of losing loved ones to suicide.

Terri Hope and Mandy Shum, who work together at Cartmell Shepherd Solicitors in Penrith, will each be clocking up the miles throughout November with the aim of turning their personal experiences of loss into something positive.

Mental health and suicide awareness are causes particularly close to both their hearts. Terri lost her brother Gavin to suicide, while Mandy lost her cousin to suicide in the same year.

Their shared experience has given the challenge an added significance and, as well as raising funds, they hope their 100 miles will encourage more people to talk openly about mental health and check in with those around them.

Mandy said: “This challenge means a lot to both of us. Having each experienced the loss of someone close to us through suicide, we know the impact it can have on families and those left behind.

“Taking on the 100 miles together is our way of doing something positive in their memory, while also raising awareness of mental health and encouraging people to talk.

“You never really know what someone else might be going through, so if our challenge encourages people to check in on friends, family or colleagues and ask how they really are, that can only be a good thing.”

Doing the little things that might help

For Terri, the challenge is part of an ongoing commitment to raising awareness around mental health and suicide following the loss of Gavin.

As well as being a Wellbeing Champion and trained Mental Health First Aider at Cartmell Shepherd, Terri took part in a leg of the Baton of Hope Tour, walking in Gavin’s memory and supporting its message around suicide prevention.

She has also been involved in creating a memorial bench, ‘A Moment for You’, in loving memory of Gavin. The bench provides a place where people can simply stop, sit and take a moment for themselves.

Terri said: “Since losing Gav, I’ve realised I can’t change what happened. I still can’t believe he’s gone and that’s a pain I carry with me every day – but if I can channel some of that into doing little things that might help someone else, then that means something to me.

“Taking part in the Baton of Hope, creating the ‘A Moment for You’ bench in Penrith, being a Wellbeing Champion and Mental Health First Aider, and now taking on this challenge with Mandy are all small things individually. Hopefully, together, they help keep conversations around mental health and suicide going.

“For me, it’s about doing something positive in Gav’s memory and reminding people that they don’t have to struggle on their own.”

Putting one foot in front of the other

Throughout November, Terri and Mandy will fit their walking around work and everyday life as they work towards their 100-mile target.

Each has a very personal reason for taking part, but together they hope the challenge will help raise awareness as well as funds and encourage people to look out for those around them.

Terri added: “There’s something quite fitting about taking on a walking challenge. When things feel difficult or overwhelming, sometimes it really is about putting one foot in front of the other.

“We’ll both be thinking about the people we’ve lost as we walk, but this is also about looking forward and doing something positive. If our challenge encourages someone to check in with a friend, colleague or family member, talk about how they’re feeling or reach out for support, then every mile will be worthwhile.”

To support Terri and Mandy’s 100-mile challenge, visit: https://raise.ing/91kp6w8xgp966