Raquel is a Grassroots Suicide Prevention supporter and fundraiser who has appeared in our blog before. She is always keen to support us and to spread the message of suicide prevention far and wide. She set herself the challenge of fundraising for us through an amazing 40 events in a year! This was only postponed due to the pandemic, and her final 3 events are due to happen post-lockdown.
To celebrate and honour Raquel’s incredible support we nominated her for an award – we will let Raquel take it from here:
“Out of the blue – some wonderful and humbling news!!!! Amazing, disbelief, just wow – not sure how to feel?! When all seems to have gone quiet with Raquel’s 40 Race Challenge and having to pause at number 37 out of my 40 challenges due to coronavirus and lockdowns, something amazing has happened! I have not only been nominated but been selected as one of the three finalists for the “Fundraiser” category of the BBC Sussex Make a Difference Hero Awards 2020!! I can’t believe it!
My mind has been set on 2021 and smashing my last three challenges albeit a year later than planned. This nomination has really made my day/week/month/year because recent months have been so so hard… not just for me personally, but I know also for so many others.
Many of us have been through unprecedented, tough times recently. This to me has been a sign to keep striving and to keep being positive . I set out in 2018 to raise awareness of mental health and try to help others affected by suicide. Little did I know the journey would be life changing. I have learnt so much. I have gone from wanting to do a little fundraising to actually changing as a person, to understanding more and seeing how supportive the people around you actually are when you reach out for help. I feel confident to talk about suicide now, to help others and I’ve been inspired by the people I have met on this journey.
I have never fundraised before and would encourage anyone to give it a try whatever your cause because it is so rewarding. I chose Grassroots Suicide Prevention because their ethos is something I connect with and I will always support them. What a great team they are! They have taught me so much and their work is vital in our community.
I know a lot of you have followed my journey, donated and many have joined me for my challenges – thank you. I truly never expected this acknowledgement, I just wanted to help others in some way, somehow after losing my sister Klaire.
The finalists for the awards will be announced on 30th Nov 2020 on BBC Radio Sussex.
My final three challenges… I’m going to smash them in 2021!!”
– Raquel
We will keep you posted, but whatever the outcome – Raquel you are a real hero!
Thanks for supporting Grassroots Suicide Prevention.
If you would like to know how you can help us like Raquel – drop us a line at jack@prevent-suicide.org.uk and begin your journey.