#forchristian
On hearing of the death of a mental health charity fundraiser
Sunday 23rd March was a big day for fundraising in the UK. Sport Relief, the UK’s biannual sporting games — aimed at raising money for projects and relief work across the globe — was at its peak, with the live contemporary telethon and associated events raising over £51m over the weekend.
In the morning, I ran 6 miles in support of Sport Relief.
It was preparation for the big one. The London Marathon. 3 weeks ahead - 13th April 2014.
On arrival home, I picked up my phone and saw an article on the BBC News app that told the story of Christian Smith, a 38 year old father of three who had set out on Saturday night to complete an epic circumnavigation of the county of Kent by bicycle — all in aid of the charity Mind [which I am both a member and fundraiser for].
Christian was killed around 4am following a collision with a car. At the time of writing it is alleged that the driver of the vehicle was under the influence of alcohol.
Christian was pronounced dead at the scene. His challenge to raise £1000 for Mind had ended in tragedy.
On Christian’s fundraising site www.justgiving.com/KentEpic he proposed the following about the challenge he was undertaking:
“This is an attempt to cycle the full 24 hrs and the full distance, largely unsupported (because nobody is stupid enough to volunteer!). So there are no motorcycle outriders, support vehicles or hot chicks to wipe my brow.
As much as this being a physical effort, it will also be a mental struggle, enduring a long dark night alone, knackered. Not to mention the long training sessions ahead of me to prepare.
In short I want to support the charity Mind, raise awareness towards the great support that they offer, and help bring an end to the stigma that is attached to those who suffer from mental health problems.
I have had my own misfortune to suffer from a spate of poor mental health, which was unexpected and has been a real ‘game changer’ in how I now view the future. It has been a tough road to get to this point but I have been fortunate enough to have the support of my family and friends.
There are those who are not so fortunate to have the same level of support and understanding. They suffer in silence and are alone. This challenge is for those people.”
He also posted: “If I get to £1,000 I will cycle naked around Wye!”
This news upset me to my core. My immediate reaction was to donate a sum towards his fundraising target. By midday, he had already broken the £1,500 against a target of £1000 and by 3pm, inclusive of my contribution of £100, the story had evoked a huge response from the public and the total raised had escalated to over £11,000. At the time of writing 4,408 people had donated to his page and the total was running at £58,121.
The circumstances and nature of this tragedy had left a door open for the public to share their sorrow at Christian’s death and his legacy begins with his children, family and their future but will include a huge contribution to the support of mental wellbeing through the money he has raised for Mind.
With only 3 weeks to go until I put my body through the most it will have ever been asked to endure, I’m minded to now finish what Christian started. Many of the London Marathon team who are raising money for Mind have also been inspired by his story and we’re currently trying to organise a ribbon to be worn in memory of his contribution and of him as a person.
We are surrounded by tragedy on a daily basis in modern life. This story is made all the more tragic by the circumstances and his clear commitment to complete this in aid of a charity he believed in.
I will do my best to finish what he started, complete the marathon and aim to raise as much as I can in my own way.
RIP Christian.
