Simon’s last tattoo
Please be aware that this article contains material that is likely to bring up difficult emotions, especially in the opening paragraphs.
By Gregory Delve
One in five people has had suicidal thoughts. One in fifteen people attempt suicide. Do you know someone at risk? Chances are you do. What would you do to protect them? How can you hope to keep them safe?
We are at our most helpless when tragedy strikes. It can be impossible to tell when a loved one is contemplating suicide. Warning signs don’t always manifest. Who doesn’t lock away their darkest, most secret thoughts? When the worst has happened, all we can do is try to move forwards. That is all we are capable of.
This is the story of a man honouring the friend he lost to suicide.
| Everybody finds their own way forward in the face of loss, and for Simon, that means running. |
His name is Simon Thompson. He’s an experienced marathon runner. Tattoos, detailing his running achievements, adorn his back in bold letters like gig dates on the tour poster of a rock band. Simon has completed courses around Europe including Paris, Barcelona and Amsterdam. He’s also done the local marathon at Halstead. In the space of only three years before the pandemic, he was able to complete no less than six marathons.
Simon’s victory tattoos are conspicuously absent after 2019. He hasn’t completed a marathon since the pandemic. Having lost much of his cardiovascular fitness during the lockdown, Simon then underwent major back surgery earlier this year. During his recovery, training ground to a halt. But he isn’t quite finished with marathons yet.
Simon has another reason to run. Paul Collings, a close friend of Simon’s, passed away earlier this year. In an unexpected and heart-breaking tragedy, Paul took his own life. It was a devastating loss to his friends and family. Everybody finds their own way forward in the face of loss, and for Simon, that means running.
Not even major surgery can stop him. Determined to prove that he still has what it takes, this will be Simon’s last marathon. After enduring his operation earlier this year, Simon is now planning to run again, and he’s more determined than ever. But there’s more than just willpower driving Simon.
He will carry Paul’s memory with him. For Simon, running is a way to honour the friend he lost. He wrote on his Facebook page, “I was talking a couple of weeks ago at Paul Collings send-off, I reckoned I only had one more marathon in this body of mine… I’d like to do it in his memory.” Simon spent the next two weeks speaking to friends about it, looking for a marathon to honour Paul. But he didn’t expect to be taking on the challenge so soon.
Simon’s place in the marathon was found last minute. Simon’s friend Iain had been planning to run in the London marathon this October. Unfortunately, he had to drop out of the race due to injury. When he heard Simon’s story about Paul, he immediately offered Simon his ticket. Simon couldn’t say no.
The London Marathon takes place on October 2nd. Simon will be passing by many of the city’s major landmarks, including Tower Bridge, Canary Warf, and even Buckingham Palace, which marks the end of the course.
| “We all loved Paul, who couldn’t?” wrote Simon, “doing this is my small way of showing the love.” |
Simon has only seven weeks to train. Now, with such little time to get in shape, he will need to be extremely determined. It is a gruelling challenge. But the stakes are higher than ever as he carries with him the torch of Paul’s memory.
“We all loved Paul, who couldn’t?” wrote Simon, “doing this is my small way of showing the love.”
Simon found a brilliant charity to support. He wants to give meaning to Paul’s death by making more help available to people suffering from mental health issues. That’s why he decided to raise money to support Mind.
Mind provides support to empower anyone experiencing mental health problems. For over 70 years, Mind has been a key figure working to provide better access to local mental health services throughout the UK. Their achievements have touched millions of lives. The charity aims to create a world where people like Paul can receive the support they need.
Paul’s sister is fighting to help Simon succeed. Jody Collings, who works for Just Recruitment at the Witham branch, has been helping to support Simon’s fundraiser by spreading the word. She wants to make sure that more support is available for people like Paul.
“It’s really important that people hear about Simon’s efforts,” said Jody on the phone. “He’s running the London marathon in memory of my brother. If we can raise enough awareness, it will make a difference.”
One in five people has had suicidal thoughts. One in fifteen people attempt suicide. Mind wants to reduce that number to zero. So far, Simon has raised over £900 for the cause, but he’s hoping to raise far more.
Your contribution could save a life. If you want to contribute, consider donating on his JustGiving page. Even a small amount can have an impact. Together we can build a world where people who have experienced mental health problems can find the support they need.
Support Simon on his last marathon.
If you or someone you know has been having suicidal thoughts, please get in touch with someone who wants to help. Find out more at https://www.mind.org.uk/.
Useful Contacts
National Suicide Prevention Helpline: 0800 689 5652
Samaritans - you can call them for free on: 116 123
https://bit.ly/Mind-UsefulContacts
Published: 16 August 2022
© Copyright Just Recruitment Group Ltd 2022