Emma & David’s hike for George

In just over four weeks’ time, my brother, David, and I will be setting off from Kathmandu to embark on our hike to Everest Base Camp for our beloved son and nephew, George.

Tragically, George died by suicide on Tuesday 30th April 2024; the events of that day remain utterly surreal. He had his whole life ahead of him, however, the extent of George’s psychological pain was such that he felt hopeless for the future, leading him to end his life at the age of 21.

George was energetic, funny, kind, loyal, loving and a social butterfly, his personality truly unique. However, he suffered from poor mental health, low self-esteem, dopamine dysfunction and emotional disregulation due to the impact of ADHD (Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder). Diagnosed with the condition at the age of 12, the symptoms of ADHD undermined the concentration George needed in order to have felt successful at school, particularly through covid. During his teens, George was frequently frustrated by his lack of focus, which caused him to be to be disorganised and unable to complete tasks.

From the outside, however, during the months prior to his death life appeared to have turned around for George. He had made the most incredible personal progress, working conscientiously and blossoming into a wonderfully kind, considerate and loving human being.

Tragically, though, I believe that the pernicious feelings that had set in and undermined his sense of self-worth during the previous decade were always lurking in the background and impossible to fully erase, ultimately causing George to be unable to see his own value and a positive future ahead.

As his mother, I will never come to terms with George’s premature death and the thought of him being consumed by such unbearable psychological pain, it is heartbreaking.

But I do need to turn my pain into purpose, by keeping George’s memory alive and his name heard.

I want to raise funds for five organisations, all of which are very dear to our hearts.

1. The Air Ambulance Service and its Critical Car Care crew, the actions of whom, together with those of our dear friend, Anthony, and the land ambulance crews, resulted in George’s resuscitation and safe journey to University Hospital Coventry. The combined actions of these heroic individuals enabled us as a family to spend George’s final 20 hours with him by his bedside in the Cardiac and Thoracic Critical Care Unit. We will forever cherish these precious hours with George.

2. Suicide Bereavement Support Norfolk is a local community organisation that has enabled Ruby and me to meet and talk freely of our feelings of devastation and loss with other similarly bereaved parents and siblings.

3. Nelson’s Journey is a Norfolk based charity for bereaved children, which has supported Ruby greatly by helping her to understand and cope with her feelings of grief and loss.

4. Norfolk and Waveney Mind is another Norfolk based charity that has supported Eve and me diligently, by providing individual and group suicide specific bereavement counselling.

5. Papyrus, a charity founded to prevent youth suicide. The suicide statistics for young adults with ADHD are frightening, as such individuals are five times more likely than those without the condition to instigate steps to end their own life.

Any donations in George’s memory to these five, very special, organisations will be greatly appreciated by us all. Thank you so much, Emma & David