My Story

I met Dickie when I was 10 playing football in the opposing team. We went to school together from 11. Dickie was always a great friend. Empathy, with intelligence and a wicked sense of humour! Kind to others but not on himself.

We (Family and Friends) sadly lost Dickie in  2025 when he tragically took his own life after a prolonged period of pain from mental illness which had an impact on Dickie, his family and friends and he is dearly missed by all.

A young happy and active family, good physical health and an appearance of always being positive and sociable with a growing career in financial services, but we didn’t realise what was happening beneath this exterior. 

It is still surreal that Dickie is no longer here. A friend to grow old with no longer here but not to be forgotten. 

For this reason I am attempting the 2026 London Marathon for the charity Mind and family and friends will be supporting me along the way with fundraising challenges and events between now and then in memory of Dickie.

I have taken part in long distance trail running events before but the thought of 26 miles on a road fills me with dread and the training even more so, but this is in aid of an incredibly worthy cause.

Fundraising will be boosted by the very kind donations made by you all and the following events

1. Quiz night on Friday 6th March at Meole Village Hall at 7.30pm.

2. At the same time as I take on the London Marathon, Stuart Nicholls, along with a number of other members from Pengwern Boat Club, will be rowing a marathon distance on rowing machines at their club. They will be completing their challenge and following the London Marathon as it unfolds - contributing to the fundraising effort for the charity Mind, and in memory of Dickie.

3. Patrick Leahy will swim a marathon

4. My run!

Please contact me if you would like to support the fundraising or join any of the events.

A bit about Mind now my chosen charity...

Even though 1 in 4 people have mental health problems, most people don’t get the help they need.

This has to change.

We’re Mind. We’re here to fight mental health. For support for respect, for you.

We change minds across England and Wales by making mental health an everyday priority. By standing up to the injustices – in healthcare, in work, in law – which makes life harder for those of us with mental health problems.

We support minds – offering help whenever you might need it through our information, advice and local services.

And we connect minds. Bringing together an unstoppable network of individuals and communities – people who care about mental health to make a difference.

Join us in the fight for mental health. We won’t stop until everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets both support and respect.