In March, Alastair Orencas is running the Atlanta Marathon in memory of his friend Rob who died by suicide last year. He’s running the marathon with his Uncle Paul who also lost a friend in similar circumstances a few years ago and all the money they raise will be going directly to Winston’s Wish to help us to support bereaved children, young people and their families.
Why did you decide to raise money for Winston’s Wish?
At about 8pm on 3rd June 2019, I received a phone call from my best friend’s wife. Rob, my best friend, had taken his own life at the age of 42. Months have passed and I have seen pain that I never thought possible, people destroyed, devastated and changed.
So what now then? Rob is dead, shall we all just move on and get on with our lives? Of course not, not everyone. People do move on and quite rightly get on with their lives, that’s understandable. But the most vulnerable remain present in the moment, the children that are left to contemplate why their mum or dad or sister or friend left forever.
The sad reality is that next year more than 7,000 people will die by suicide. Just pause for a moment and think about the kids left in the wake of that level of tragedy, it’s almost incomprehensible.
So, to put it simply, I just want to do a little something to help kids left behind. To help them feel that they are not alone and help is there if needed.
Read more about Alastair’s marathon challenge and donate here