"In helping others, we heal"

How the chance to help others makes your grief smaller

By Jess, who is running the Virtual London Marathon in memory of her son Ignacio, who died last year aged 28

I decided to tell Ignacio's story to help bring awareness to mental health issues, to encourage people to connect and talk about emotions, and also to help parents and families that go through such a tragedy.

In April 2020 my son Ignacio, a young man who never showed any signs of depression, decided to end his life. He left us with so many questions and pain. As the months went by, I decided to tell his story to help bring awareness to mental health issues, to encourage people to connect and talk about emotions, and also to help parents and families that go through such a tragedy.

In October, with a group of lovely friends, I will be running the Virtual London Marathon in Ignacio’s name when I’ll also be remembering other kids who are gone too soon, and their families rebuilding themselves.

I love running – it’s the thing that kept me sane after losing my son. We train six times a week and are getting strong by supporting one another as a team. Personally, I love the joy and purpose it gives me, and it also gives me the opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of looking after your mental health and the devastation that the loss of a child brings to a family.

If you’re thinking of doing a challenge event and you’re grieving, it can give you something to look forward to, which can be helpful.

If you’re thinking of doing a challenge event and you’re grieving, it can give you something to look forward to, which can be helpful. Also the chance to help others makes your grief smaller, I think – in helping others, we heal.

By doing the Virtual London Marathon, I want to keep Ignacio's memory alive by raising awareness of the tragedy of losing a son by suicide and also sharing the hope that life can go on if you find meaning and purpose. May 💙 orient us always.

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If you have been inspired to fundraise or to take on a challenge for us, please visit our challenge events page or contact our team on [email protected] or call 01494 569048.

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