On Saturday 12th November, Julia Hetherton, Executive Head Chef at the Assembly House in Norwich, is doing something incredible. Julia will be running a marathon and then cycling a marathon to help promote awareness of the support available to men considering suicide. The money Julia is raising will be distributed to various local causes, including MensCraft.
Julia, who lost her partner, Steve, to suicide, kindly took the time to explain a bit more about this tremendous endeavour, the background and motivation to it. “I wanted to do something for suicide awareness and men’s mental health having lost Steve. I want to bring people together who have been affected by suicide or have tried to hurt themselves.” Firstly, on the 12th, Julia will run a marathon with her brother-in-law, Carl, before cycling a second marathon along Marriott’s Way between Norwich and Aylsham, also with Carl.
“I’m hoping to send out a message that there is help out there and that we are not alone. I’ve had to work so hard on learning to live beside my grief and get better from the trauma. I hope I can help or inspire others that there is still light and hope at the end of the dark bomb that hits you when someone you love dies by suicide. I feel I have to do something. My sister, Laura, and her partner, Carl, helped me to come up with my crazy plan.”
The day will finish at The Assembly House with a (well deserved) free tea and cake reception for people affected by suicide, but before that, Julia is “hoping people will join me in the marathons, either parts of (either) or (both) or just cheer us on.”
All the team at MensCraft will be rooting for Julia; wishing her every success, much stamina and strength throughout her momentous day!
Julia’s JustGiving page is open for donations.
Julia’s story was recently featured in the Eastern Daily Press. Credit to the photo, as featured in that article and reproduced here, to Steve Adams.
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