On Friday 13th June, we’re climbing the 'Big One' to raise money for a charity that’s incredibly close to our hearts: Alfie’s Squad.

Having both lost our younger brothers to suicide, we live every day with the reality of being ‘the ones left behind’. The most heart-breaking part has been watching our niece, Paige - who was just five when her daddy died - grow up without him. Trying to make sense of why all her friends still have their daddies, but hers has to stay in heaven.

(Photo of Paige with her memory blanket)

Watching her grow up with that heartbreak, confusion, guilt, and anger has been devastating. When someone dies by suicide, the people they leave behind often carry that pain for a lifetime. And for young children like Paige, the impact is especially deep and lasting.

(Photo of Paige blowing out her Daddy's birthday candles)

That’s why we’re supporting Alfie’s Squad.

Alfie’s Squad is the only charity in the UK that runs peer support groups just for children who have lost a loved one to suicide.

They hold a weekly face-to-face session for children from across the North West, and run online groups for children further afield - offering a safe, understanding space where young people can talk openly, meet others who truly get it, and start to realise they are not alone.

Right now, families travel from all over the region just to reach the sessions. The dream is to have an Alfie’s Squad in every town, so that no child has to grow up without the support they need.

We know - both from research and from painful experience - that children bereaved by suicide are at a much higher risk of struggling with their mental health, and heartbreakingly, at greater risk of suicide themselves. But we also know that peer support can change lives - by building connection, hope, and healing when they need it most.

If you can donate anything at all, no matter how small, it would be greatly appreciated.

And given neither of us like heights - and it’s Friday 13th - we’ll need all the support we can get!

Thank you so much for reading and for supporting a cause that means a lot to us ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Nina and Tristan