Shaun (10) smashes the £3K barrier in memory of his dad
/**Due to CCOVID-19, Shaun's run has been moved to 10 January 2021**
Having set out to raise £101, Shaun Mayall (10) has now blown the doors off and raised more than £3,000. The schoolboy from Cockermouth sadly lost his dad, Andy, to suicide in 2014 and decided to honour his memory by challenging himself to run 10K on Thursday 10 December.
Shaun’s challenge is expected to take place on Thursday 10 December at Fairfield Primary School. Chris Steele (Head) said, “I am impressed by Shaun's fundraising efforts so far. He has worked hard to raise awareness and vital funds for a charity very close to his heart and he is doing it in a way that means all of us at school can support and help him along the way. News of his run has reached a long way and his initial fund-raising target has been smashed. We are all very much looking forward to cheering him on through the 10K. As a keen runner I am also looking forward to lacing up and doing a few laps with him!”
Shaun has gained a few fans recently, including mountaineer Alan Hinkes OBE, when Alan retweeted Shaun’s fundraiser, as well as MP Mark Jenkinson, who wished him luck. “I just feel amazed,” said Shaun. “When the JustGiving page was launched and I watched the donations creeping up towards £1,000 on the first day, I went to bed that night feeling so happy. I think I’ll remember this forever. That an amazing man like Alan Hinkes has noticed my article just amazes me.”
“Just do your best”
One of the nicest surprises that made Shaun feel “happy and proud” was an anonymous donation, which was accompanied by a wonderful letter responding to Shaun and Andy’s love of chess. “I read about your 10K run in memory of your dad,” the letter began. “I found the article very humbling in the way you have responded to what must have been a very traumatic time for your family. SBS is a very worthy cause and helps in trying to understand what is obviously a tragic and bewildering situation. Keep your chess going: the first primary schools’ chess competition took place in 1992 and the winner from that year is nearing 40-years-old. The Fairfield Players were a very strong chess team. Take care kid, just do your best.”
While there’s no doubting that the funds raised so far for Shaun’s chosen charity, Suicide Bereavement Support (SBS), are astounding, it’s the sheer numbers of over 175 donors that has touched Shaun’s heart. He has read every single message and is keen to thank everyone, as this effort proves that lots of people who give a little can really add up to a lot.
Why Shaun is fundraising for Suicide Bereavement Support
To put it in perspective, the heart-breaking statistic of losing someone each week on average to suicide in Cumbria is greater than those lost to road traffic accidents. Having operated under the wing of national charity Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide for nine years, SBS was founded over a year ago and builds on that experience to focus on offering a truly local service to people living in Cumbria and surrounding areas including North Lancashire and South Scotland.
SBS usually offers four self-help support groups across Cumbria, where those left behind by suicide can meet with other people in a similar position, although meetings are currently being held virtually due to Covid-19 restrictions. The groups provide an opportunity to listen, to share, to gain understanding and to connect with others. A helpline service and private forum is also available and is run by volunteers who have been personally affected by suicide.
Words of wisdom
Shaun’s efforts also caught the attention of Andy’s best friend, Glenn Palmer of Whitehaven, who was moved to write: “Andy would be so proud of Shaun and how Helen is bringing him up. Those who are left behind after suicide go through every emotion and can be scarred for life. Charities give them a chance to talk openly and I wish that I had done this after my dad committed suicide when I was 13. Only now, after going through this grief for the third time with my brother, did I reach out for help. If you need help, please reach out and if you could spare a couple of pounds, please donate to Shaun. Well done, Shaun, you’re amazing.”
It’s not surprising that with such friends around, Shaun has a wise head on young shoulders. His motto for life is, “Be resilient, work hard and be kind”; and his poignant advice for looking after yourself and others – delivered with the regrettable experience of a tragic loss – is to “talk and listen.”
Support Shaun to reach even higher heights
If you would like to support Shaun’s fundraising challenge, you can donate via JustGiving at https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/shauns10K?invite=true.
Support for people touched by suicide
If you are struggling with the death of someone who has taken their own life and need someone to listen to your experience and offer you support, please do get in touch. You can call the SBS helpline on 07572 975 721 (John) or 07896 703 757 (Karan). You can also email hello@sbs.org.uk , or you can visit www.sbs.org.uk or Facebook and Twitter at @CumbriaSBS.
