Mum left 'bereft' after son, 17, took own life while struggling in lockdown
A mum who was devastated by the death of her son is set to embark on a 200-mile journey to stop others suffering in silence.
Liz Hurlstone’s son, Seb, suffered from depression and struggled to speak to others about his problems. Tragically, he took his own life in November 2021 as he struggled with the isolation of covid lockdowns and the loss of his nan shortly before his 17th birthday.
The tragedy has inspired his mother to take part in an epic walk with two other mums who lost loved ones, with the trio set to walk from North Staffordshire to London and then to Kent. They are hoping the walk will help prevent future tragedies.
Tragic Seb took his own life in 2021 (Just 3 Mums Walking)Liz told StokeonTrentLive : “Four days after his 17th birthday in July 2021, my mum – the boys’ beloved ‘nan’ – passed away, following a terminal illness. This diagnosis, 12 months earlier, Seb had found exceptionally difficult to accept and her subsequent passing he found impossible to talk about or process.
“When he returned to college in September 2021, the focus was heavily upon university applications. He was an intelligent boy, very good at maths and science and was in the process of applying to study Bio Medical Science at University. He would undoubtedly have got the grades he needed but again, the idea of so much more change, people, places etc was incredibly difficult for him to handle.
Cherished girl, 3, who spent half her life in hospital dies before surgery
“His friendship/support group was, in his eyes, about to splinter yet further and friendships would, again, be tested. Seb took his own life in November 2021 leaving myself, his dad, brother, friends, family, and a community bereft, totally devastated, and without answers to so many questions, the answers to which, now, we will never know."
Liz is looking to raise thousands of pounds to help others going through the same heartache (Stoke Sentinel/Submitted)The brave ladies, known as Just 3 Mums Walking, will be walking between 14 to 17.5 miles each day over more than two weeks. Liz added: “Our mission is to break the stigma around suicide. People need to talk about it and understand that it’s ok to share their problems. Seb had a kind friendship group who stayed close and comforted me after Seb took his own life, and I asked them to look into some charities for donations for his funeral.
“Papyrus was the one we felt would make the biggest difference as it has the ability for young people to contact them 24/7 and they’re supported by trained professionals. Over a period of time I was doing fund-raisers in Seb’s name - and then Papyrus put me, Kim and Michelle in touch.
"We were all going through the same type of grief and wanted to do something to help families whose children may be feeling the same way as our boys did. I’d been following the fund-raisers that 3 Dads Walking had done and I joined them in Delamere as it’s not too far from where I live.”
The three mums will be setting off from The Offley Arms, at Poolside, this morning at 10.15am. They hope to end their journey at Sandwich, in Kent, on Sunday, October 8. People can keep an eye on their journey and find out where they can meet the mums via The Just 3 Mums Walking group has already raised more than £12,500 of its £15,000 target. Anyone wishing to donate can do so by .
If you are struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively you can email [email protected] or visit their site to find your local branch.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
