Emma McCollum

Hi there!

I’m making a difference and fundraising in memory of someone very special, my brother Ben. I’m raising money for a cause that's close to my heart.

Please support my efforts by making a secure online donation and by posting a message of support. I’d appreciate any contribution big or small.

Many of us have been affected by depression, anxiety and suicide, either personally or through family, friends or even colleagues. Right now, over 1 million Australian adults have depression, 2 million are experiencing anxiety and on average, 8 people take their lives every day in Australia. Mental health is a major issue and we need to help not only raise awareness but also try break the stigma associated. No one is weak for speaking of their illness, rather they are brave, strong and ever so courageous for being big enough to stand proud and speak out about their situation and get help.

IT AIN'T WEAK TO SPEAK.

For those unaware in 2015 I lost my brother to suicide, he was just 1 month and 1 day shy of is 33rd birthday (forever 32)! Two years ago I decided I wanted to do something to help raise awareness and much needed funds for mental health and suicide prevention. I have achieved this by completing a 15k run and this year again the time has come to dust off the running shoes and see if I can again raise funds for Livin.

A little bit more about my story and exactly why I choose to do this. Some of you may or may not be aware on the 7th June 2015 my brother Ben took his own life. He was 1 month & 1 day shy of his 33rd birthday, a day that I will never forget. I had planned a trip to my parents place, where Ben was also living at the time. My folks had stayed at my house the night before, this was the night we received a message from Ben telling us he had had enough of life. The drive to my parents property the next morning was long & it was at that point I knew something was terribly wrong. Never had it been so long in not hearing from him. After a long day of waiting & the police searching I will never forget the gut wrenching, shattering moment my dad came to the front door of their property, falling & grasping my mum, only to say they found him up in their back paddock. That day will forever haunt me. I still have no words to explain the loss of a loved one in such a way. If you knew Ben you would know he was the life of the party & there was never a dull moment with him around. He could walk into any room and make a friend & that friend would be a mate for life. I know he touched so many hearts & will forever hold a place in those he did. My big brother was amazing & I loved him so very much, he left behind 3 beautiful children along with mum & dad, 2 brothers myself, 1 brother in law & two sister in laws and many more family and friends who will always question their actions & ask themselves what if. What if I'd done this, what if I did that, I will probably question it my whole life. Ben had unfortunately made up his mind, he thought this was the best for everyone, he was in a place beyond darkness which he could see no other way out. In fact Ben suffered from depression & with other contributing factors led to him taking his own life. This is a terrible disease and why I choose to push myself to my own limits, I may have sore feet and end up with blisters at the end of the run and I won't lie possibly want to give up because I'm in pain. But I'm here and my pain will go away and I'll take each step striving for that finish line in hope that you may be able to assist me in raising some funds, awareness and hopefully the prevention of someone else taking their precious life.

So if you can spare some change, big or small it would be greatly appreciated. Every little bit counts and without your support I cannot achieve this. Hi there!

Donations made through this platform are secure and will be remitted directly through to my charity of choice.

Thanks so much for your support!