A DOWNEND woman’s run to raise money for a suicide prevention charity has taken on a new significance after her teenage nephew took his own life.
Jenny Wooldridge decided last year to tackle three runs over three months: April’s Frenchay 10k, the Bristol Half-Marathon in May, and a marathon in June.
She is raising money for CALM (the Campaign Against Living Miserably) – a charity that aims to prevent suicide and provides support for young people.
Jenny, 53, who works for the Methodist church, raised more than £2,500 for CALM in 2023, when she ran 600 miles in memory of her dad Brian, who took his own life in 1992, aged 57.
She planned to carry out the new challenge in his memory, but in February her nephew Ollie Davis, 18, took his own life.
Jenny said: “When I started, I thought that I would be running in memory of Dad, but there is more reason to run.
“Tragically, we lost Ollie, my nephew, just a few weeks ago and so this whole challenge has taken on new significance and meaning.
“How do you make sense of losing someone who was only just 18 and seemingly had his whole life ahead of him?
“It is such a tragic loss of a life, a beautiful and caring young man who struggled with his mental health.
“Part of the way of coping for me is to run and to try to do something so that others have the chance to live.”
Ollie, who lived in Somerset, was described as a bright, funny and caring young man by family members.
A student at Bridgwater College, he was planning to work as a carpenter.
Ollie was dyslexic and had experienced mental health challenges.
Jenny has set up a donation page, which can be found online at tinyurl.com/5cszy424.
She said: “By running for CALM, who work so tirelessly to raise awareness of mental health and suicide, we can help other families and young people have a brighter future.”
Jenny has been training three times a week with her black Labrador dog, Wilbur.
The final part of the challenge is a family-organised run from Tyntesfield to Weston-super-Mare, which will take place on June 22.
Jenny said: “The original plan was to run the Brighton Marathon but after we lost Ollie, it was important to do something as a family, with those who knew him.
“The 26 miler will be Ollie’s run and walk, around places Ollie visited with us.
“My lovely children, Alice, Alexander and Freya, will join me, doing this in memory of their cousin.” For more information on CALM visit: www.thecalmzone.net.