Helen Mccallum

As many of you will know, we lost our beautiful mum on the 16th September 2023. Or as others may know her, Helen Mccallum, H, Hells Bells, Helga… We have really debated sharing any information on this as of course it is personal and we are acutely aware that our mum wouldn’t want everyone to know and we will always hold her in the highest respect. However, we also know how passionate she was about making a change, helping charities and raising awareness. So mum, we hope you understand.

Our mum, there really aren’t enough words to describe her. She was many wonderful things, but mostly, an incredible mother throughout. She had her struggles, as we all do. The last 2 years of her life particularly were tough, especially in terms of her health - both physically and mentally.

Mum struggled with alcoholism.

That small sentence alone is so hard for us to say out loud but it’s time there was more awareness and it’s something we should never shy away from. Although this never impacted her life and her abilities…it of course was impacting her health. Although we were aware of this for a short time, we were not aware of just how serious things were, so despite our best efforts at getting her the help she needed in the last few weeks of her life, it seems it was just too late.

Mum went into hospital on the 13th September, moved to intensive care on the 15th and on the 16th we had to make the heart breaking decision to remove her life support. We had no time to process that we were about to lose the most important person in our lives, and yet had no choice but to open that door far too soon…it’s something that has changed us both massively.

One of the last conversations me and mum had, I expressed my concerns over her health and it was the first time she has ever admitted to needing help, but in her words “I don’t want you two to have to deal with that”. If only she knew we’d deal with that 100x over rather than losing her forever.

So in short, if you’re struggling with life, your mental or physical health or believe the amount you drink could be putting you at risk, please please please seek help, tell someone who loves you that you need help. The first step to recovery is acceptance.

We want to do our part in making a difference, so that in the future hopefully less families will have to lose a loved one to alcoholism.

On the 9th of August, we are going to jump out of a plane at an elevation of 10,000ft. (I panicked going on a ferris wheel) but this is all about pushing ourselves out of our comfort zones. This will be much easier knowing we are raising money for a great charity - Alcohol Change UK. As we leave that plane I will picture my mums beautiful smile, that infectious laugh and all the memories we have made, because your difficulties don’t define you and she never ever failed at being the best mum ever!

If you’ve taken the time to read this, thank you. If you are able to make a donation, that would be greatly appreciated or alternatively just sharing this would be a massive help.

We love you mum, forever and always, no matter what xxxxxx

Sophie Mccallum & Lily Bright - Mccallum

And two of our wonderful friends are also joining us, Adele Sutton & Ellie Hill - thank you guys for your continued support throughout it all x

Do you want to join me in making a difference? I'm raising money in aid of Alcohol Change UK and every donation will help. Thank you in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.