At Coventry, Warwickshire and Worcestershire Mind, we are incredibly proud to celebrate the remarkable achievement of the Carrying the Weight Together team, who have raised an amazing £7,900 to support our Suicide Bereavement Service in Worcestershire.
A Quote from our Suicide Bereavement Service in Worcestershire.
“When I lost my friend last year I had never experienced a loss before. I felt so scared and alone and I felt a lot of guilt that I didn’t know how to cope with. I didn’t want to leave the house or go to school because it felt like a betrayal to him.When I met my SLW she immediately put me at ease. She made me feel safe enough to share everything I was feeling, even the horrible parts that I didn’t want to tell anyone about. She provided so many resources and pieces of advice about bereavement, personal stories and pages and pages of university research to help me move on with my life. She helped me through the loss of a pet, police statements, getting to know my friends family, potential counselling, and encouraged me to make my university application even when it seemed hopeless. She went above and beyond to provide me with information that she did not have to provide, but she did it out of the genuineness and kindness in her heart.I could not be more thankful to my SLW for the personal and dedicated service she provided for me during the worst period of my life. The confidence and peace I have regained since experiencing such a loss is absolutely a result of her incredible work; I pray that everyone who experiences such a traumatic loss is able to have someone like my SLW in their lives.I’ve now completed my A levels, got a full time job and am going to University next year. This time last year I couldn’t focus in class, couldn’t bring myself to revise and refused to even think about applying to Uni. My life has changed so drastically in just a year, and I owe my triumphs and future joys to my SLW and her support. I hope she knows how incredible she is.“
The challenge saw five local friends, Jack Thompson, Alex Gibbs, Ben Thompson, Jamie Willis and Jordan Powell, walk the entire 31-mile Worcestershire Way, from Bewdley to Malvern, while carrying an 85kg log by hand.
The log symbolised the emotional weight that many men carry every day and served as a powerful reminder that no one should have to carry those struggles alone.
Throughout the challenge, the team encouraged conversations about men’s mental health, stopping along the route to speak with members of the public and create safe spaces for people to open up. Their message was simple but incredibly powerful: sharing the weight makes it easier to carry.
The challenge captured the attention of the local community, with supporters cheering the team on throughout the route and helping them exceed their original fundraising target many times over.
Supporting people when they need it most
The incredible funds raised will directly support our Suicide Bereavement Service in Worcestershire, helping us provide compassionate support to people who need it.
Every conversation started, every donation made and every mile walked will help ensure more people can access specialist support during some of the most difficult moments of their lives.
A special thank you
We recently had the pleasure of welcoming the team for a cheque presentation, where they officially presented their incredible fundraising total.
To everyone who donated, shared their story, walked alongside the team, or offered words of encouragement along the way thank you. Your support has helped turn an inspiring challenge into a lasting impact for people across Worcestershire.
And to Jack, Alex, Ben, Jamie and Jordan thank you for reminding us all of the importance of talking, supporting one another, and never carrying life’s challenges alone. Your dedication has inspired so many people, and your legacy will continue through the support your fundraising makes possible.
Together, we can ensure that no one has to carry the weight alone.
Get involved
If you would like to support Coventry, Warwickshire and Worcestershire Mind through fundraising, sponsorship, volunteering, or corporate partnerships, we would love to hear from you. Contact us at fundraising@cwmind.org.uk
Together, we can ensure that nobody has to face poor mental health alone.
