County Durham and Darlington firefighters to run ten miles for suicide prevention
The Stanhope ten miler, organised by on-call support officer, Keiran Hughes, will take place on Sunday (August 24), at 9am, and is expected to attract about 120 people.
The ten mile loop in the heart of the Durham dales starts and finishes at Stanhope Showground and passes through Bollihope, Hill End, Frosterley, and Stanhope.
Keiran (left) with mascot, 'Flamin Nora' at the Stanhope ten mile race (Image: County Durham & Darlington Fire & Rescue Service)The race is open to runners and walkers and each participant will receive a medal and a goody bag as a thank you for taking part and making a difference.
Keiran said: "I started it on a whim, really. I love to run and it's great for your mental state. If I'm having a bad day, I'll get out and go for a run and you'd be surprised how good it actually is for you.
"We have to be mentally and physically fit as fire fighters. Running is great, good for your cardio, aerobic fitness and mentally.
"I always run with my counterpart, who has taken part in my run every year, and it's good to just run and talk about things that are hard to talk about.
"One of the hardest things, especially as male firefighters, is opening up and talking about your problems and I think it's good because you're out in a beautiful area and having that chat is really beneficial.
"It really does bring you all back together, because we're not on station or together all the time so it strengthens that bond. I get to do something I love to do and help someone else in the meantime, why wouldn't more people do it?"
On-call support officer and retired fire fighter, Keiran Hughes, who organises the race (Image: County Durham & Darlington Fire & Rescue Service) Now in its seventh year, the event has raised more than £18,000 for Quinn's Retreat - a charity dedicated to supporting families bereaved by suicide.
The charity was started after organisers Tracey, 45, and David Beadle, 44, from Shildon, lost their 17-year-old daughter Quinn in December 2018 to suicide.
It was their 21-year-old son Dyllon's idea to "help other people going through the same thing", when they went on a retreat shortly after her funeral.
Sadly, before the charity was set up, the family also lost Dyllon to suicide in October 2019, after he realised Quinn "was his best friend".
The team provides free short breaks in specially designed caravans to families needing a safe space to heal, rest, and support each other in their difficult time.
Quinn (right) and Dyllon (left) Beadle, younger (Image: The Northern Echo) Charity organiser David said: "Keiran asked us to be the charity for the run about four years ago and ever since then he hasn't moved onto another charity.
"The fact that he keeps choosing us and hasn't moved on to someone else yet, which we fully expect him to do, means the world to us."
Volunteers for Quinn's Retreat will be at the finish line of the ten miler, offering out cakes homemade by Tracey.
Speaking on why he chose this charity, Keiran said: "It's just great what they do. To lose two children to suicide is absolutely heartbreaking and would probably break a lot of people.
"Others wouldn't be able to carry on, but they're doing it and they're amazing. They're doing a really great thing and it's nice to give something back."
Entry to the race is just £24 per person, with all funds going directly to the charity. You can enter via the website at racebest.com/races/vxyhv which includes all of the race information.
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If you are in need of support you can contact the following:
- Samaritans is available, day or night, 365 days of the year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.
- If U Care Share on 0191 387 5661 or text IUCS to 85258
- SANE on 07984 967 708, Calm on 0800 58 58 58
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