Battle charity fundraiser set for its 10th year

The race event raises money for four charities who helped the family in the aftermath of Will’s death including Winston’s Wish, the UK’s first children and young people’s bereavement charity who offered support to Will and Katie’s young sons.

The event encourages participants to run or walk 5K or 10K around the glorious Ashburnham Hall grounds to raise funds for four charities, national charities Winston’s Wish and CALM - Campaign Against Living Miserably as well as local charities Dragonflies and the Beachy Head Chaplaincy Team.

Katie Beckett, the wife of Will, commented, “My husband took his own life in 2013 when our sons were 8 and 6. We were completely floored by his death - it came completely out of the blue and we were thrown into total shock and disarray. We had no idea what to do or where to turn. We actually came across Winston’s Wish when we went to our local police station to ask for help. They gave us Winston’s Wish’s details and they helped us ever since.

“Winstons Wish were amazing and sent things for us to read like ‘Beyond The Rough Rock’ which helped all of us. They spoke to us on the phone and advised us how to tell Tom and Joe about how their Dad had died. We were also given a number of counselling sessions.

“Subsequently I also spoke to Winstons Wish at one of our more recent Out Of The Blue runs on how to broach the subject of the notes left and how to share these with my boys. Their advice was invaluable and made this traumatic task more manageable.

“We started Out Of The Blue in the year after Will died. My sister-in-law Lex and I wanted to do something positive, it was a very powerful feeling and we sat and planned out who we wanted to support, the name, the logo. Family and friends entered a local run that year but we then knew we wanted to organise our own run and so we approached Ashburnham Place where our event is now held annually.

“The first run took so much organisation but we remember feeling such an overwhelming feeling of pride. The setting is ideal and it brought together hundreds of people. It has also brought together the four charities we fundraise for and other local bereavement and mental health organisations, so that people participating and supporting are able to access them on the night. It’s gone from strength to strength ever since.

“Grief from suicide is deeply complex and our family has worked hard to work on our grief and Out Of The Blue has played a huge part in that. Life is hard at times, but my boys are thriving and we have remained so close as a wider family. Suicide is not going away. Life is just too hard for some people and for the people left behind, it is incredibly painful to accept. Charities such as Winston's Wish are essential - they have always talked openly and honestly which is what we need.”

The Out of the Blue event takes place on Thursday, the 26th of June and all are invited to get involved, whether they are avid runners or not. Katie adds, “When the weather is fine, it’s beautiful. The race is attended by so many runners and supporters - around 500 runners. There are stalls with information and support and it’s a life affirming event to be a part of. Children and families attend so it’s a great atmosphere. It’s emotional but there’s is so much positive energy we feel it’s a brilliant event.

“We would like to raise at least £5000 this year, most of this comes through entry fees but people also fundraise via our givewheel page too. We have undertaken many events over the last 12 years but our annual run is the biggest and seeing so many people come together fills us with a sense of overwhelming pride. We are grateful to all those who have supported us for the last 12 years and held our hands through the most traumatic time.

To get involved with the Out of the Blue event on the 26th of June, don’t forget to follow the dedicated page.

Winston’s Wish is keen to reassure bereaved young people and their families that they are welcome to chat online, email or call for free to speak to a bereavement support worker by calling 08088 020 021, emailing [email protected] or using the live chat at winstonswish.org.