What is this all about?

A couple of years ago, two of my friends ran a series of races to raise money for a very good cause called Simon Says (more on them in another post). This really resonated with me and next year I have decided to do something about it! As such, I am going to be running a series of 12 races in 12 months, mostly 10k-20k with a couple of marathons as well.

I will be posting regular updates on this blog, including the details of each of the events, pictures & race times.

You can donate here http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/EdHockey

I look forward to boring/inspiring you throughout next year!

Why am I doing this crazy event?

Background

Simon Stanley was a 37-year-old teacher from Southampton, Hampshire, when he died from cancer.  His wife, Sally, found there was no bereavement support locally for their two sons, Andrew (5) and Tom (2).  Research indicated that The Stanley’s experience was not unique and there was a wider need to provide resources and information to children, parents, teachers, health professionals and emergency services in Hampshire.

Simon Says became a registered charity in 2001, and was formally launched in 2002 with Sally Taylor MBE as its patron, with the aim of supporting children and young people within Hampshire, who have a close relative/friend who has died or is dying.  The death of someone important can have a devastating effect on a young person, but we know that given appropriate support and information, children and young people can be helped to understand what has happened and can be helped to rebuild their lives.

Simon Says supports children, young people and parents through workshops, support groups, training and written information and documentation. We run help lines and offer befriending and counselling services and most importantly, the opportunity for families to share their experiences of pre-bereavement and bereavement in order to support themselves and others. 

Simon Says also works very closely with professionals working with children offering advice and training on dealing with child bereavement.

With the help of The National Lottery, People’s Millions award, Simon Says launched a satellite service in  New Milton, giving easy access to those living in New Forest.  In October 2008 Simon Says opened a temporary office in Gore Road and launched the children’s support group offering support to children aged up to 11yrs.  In March 2009 support groups for young people (aged 11yrs – 18yrs) will be launched; and from the end of April Simon Says will be based in The Phoenix Centre; the New Milton Childrens Centre.

Facts & Figures

It is estimated that every 30 minutes a child or young person in the UK is bereaved of a parent – that’s 55 a day, 20,000 children every year facing the future without a parent¹

It is estimated that 4%¹ of school aged children (between 5yrs and 16yrs) will have experienced the death of a parent or sibling, which equates to 7500 children in Hampshire.  This figure does not account for those who have lost another relative eg grandparent, uncle, cousin or a close friend.

Covering just Hampshire, the Simon Says Helpline receives over 1500 calls per year requesting support and/or information for helping bereaved children

It costs approximately £85 per referral for Simon Says to support a bereaved child

An average of 400 bereaved children attend the Simon Says support group per annum

Almost 50% of the deaths Simon Says has supported, have been sudden deaths eg heart attack, road traffic accidents suicide, or murder