On Saturday 11th November, Move Your Bum for Ben Plumb is back. These walks (one longer, one shorter), in memory of Ben Plumb, who took his own life in January 2020, have been a fixture of the past couple of years as friends and family gather to raise awareness and money to support others affected by adverse mental health.
The walks – commencing in Bungay and finishing at The Queens Head in Earsham – is being diligently organised by Ben’s sister, Holly. As the recipient of funds donated in previous years, MensCraft is honoured to be selected as the nominated charity. Holly generously agreed to allow us to pose a few questions to her and her family about the history of the walk, its meaning, purpose and importance.
Hi Holly, could you tell us about the previous walk(s) and fundraising in Ben’s memory? It’s clearly an extremely successful and popular movement.
The idea stemmed from wanting to mark Ben’s birthday with positivity, and raising awareness to other men who are suffering, that there are local charities that can help them and they don’t have to suffer in silence.
The first walk in 2021 was incredible. I think we raised £4,000 for Norfolk and Waveney Mind via the JustGiving page and £1,000 in cash donations to MensCraft on the day! I think we had around 70 people of all ages walking with us, as well as children in pushchairs and dogs too.
Last year, we kept things more low profile, I found it all a bit too emotional, if I’m honest, and wanted to keep attendees to close friends and family. Still, amazingly we raised over £1000 for MensCraft.
Could say something about Bungay and its surroundings and what it means for you and your family? Is there any significance in the route chosen for the walk?
Our family live in Bungay; it is where Ben grew up and lived for many years. Ben also lived in Earsham, for a time, and it’s where his three children and nephews currently live. As well as enjoying a few pints at the Earsham Queen, Ben also enjoyed fishing around the Waveney area.
We want to ensure that people of all ages and abilities can join us on the day, hence the shorter route. It’s important that Ben’s children and nephews can join in.
How has the experience of Move Your Bum for Ben Plumb caused you to reflect on Ben himself – it’s obviously garnered fantastic support, so I wonder how it’s affected how your processing of the past few years?
We have been overwhelmed with the support this has gained. It is an emotional event for us as a family and amazing to see the support around us. It’s sad to think that Ben felt lonely at times. It also highlights how so many people suffer with their mental health. If the money raised saves a family going through the awful tragedy we did, then that feels Ben is helping someone else.
As you say on your fundraising page, you’ve had astounding donations in the past three years; why do you think Move Your Bum for Ben Plumb has taken off in the way it has? What’s surprised you or been unexpected, because of your fabulous work and commitment?
I think we have some very kind and generous friends and family, who have not only donated themselves but also helped to raise donations through their own friends. A close friend of mine was living in Bristol when we did the first walk, so she arranged a walk there. She’s since moved to Norwich and still her friends continue to do the walk in Bristol, which is really lovely.
For me also, as already mentioned above, I think this is a subject which touches so many people because so many people are suffering themselves or know someone who is. We know services are stretched in Norfolk and Suffolk so it is my hope that by doing this, someone who really needs help will hear about MensCraft.
We’re grateful to Holly for the sensitivity and articulacy in these reflections, as well as being full of admiration for her and her family’s campaign and incredible fundraising efforts to support the cause of suicide prevention and better mental health. MensCraft looks forward to the 11th November and wishes much luck and stamina to all walkers on the day.
Holly’s JustGiving page, which covers details of how to join either the longer or shorter walk, can be found here.
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