James Vernon's Raising4Rosie

My darling Goddaughter Rosie Roche tragically took her own life last year. Her parents Hugh and Pippa have arranged for friends and family to raise money for two charities, Suicide&Co and The Whitley Fund for Nature, by way of a 100km Race to The Stones in July this year spread over 2 days. Due to my daughter's graduation commitment in Newcastle on the Monday morning after the race, I am having to complete the race (with my son Charlie) without stopping, starting at 7am on the Saturday morning. We plan to achieve this within 24 hours which will be a gargantuan task.

Please can you consider donating as much as you can for a cause so close to our hearts.

Our best, James and Charlie.

Please see some words from my dear friends Hugh and Pippa below.

We were all completely devastated by the sudden loss of our 20 year old daughter Rosie in July last year.

Rosie was deeply loved by all who knew her and spent time with her. She was fun, funny and beautiful inside and out. It is hard to make sense that she is no longer here, and she is greatly missed by all her family and friends. Just four months earlier, Rosie had been diagnosed with bipolar II following a sudden mental health crisis. She was in the early stages of treatment when she died by suicide.

Rosie found wonder in the natural world from a very young age. She loved the sea. As she grew older, she began to follow that curiosity beyond books and into travel. A bucket list in her notebook revealed a dream to visit every continent. Her childhood hero was Jane Goodall. Rosie loved nothing more than a challenging debate or a competitive game of cards. She loved her friends and her family. She adored film, nature documentaries, photography and drawing, and hoped one day to be a writer. She had a rare gift for seeing the extraordinary in the smallest things — the whole world in a grain of sand.

The Challenge- Race to the Stones – Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th July 2026

In Rosie’s memory, Hugh, Pip, their family and friends will take part in a brutal two-day ultramarathon — a 100-kilometre test of endurance along England’s ancient Ridgeway — pushing themselves to the limit before finishing beneath the towering stones of Avebury.
We hope that through raising funds for two charities; Suicide&Co and the Whitley Fund for Nature, that some amazing work can be achieved in Rosie's name and that her spirit can live on.

The Charities

Suicide&Co
Bereavement in all forms can be traumatic, however, suicide often brings a range of added emotions to navigate.
Suicide&Co is the only national charity in the UK focused on professional support for people bereaved by suicide. Their mission is to provide essential support and open up the conversation about suicide loss, so no one has to go through it alone.

At the heart of what they do is the support they offer. They have a range of services, including their extraordinary Counselling Service. Any adult bereaved by suicide in England and Wales can access their Counselling Service and receive 12 free sessions with Level 4 Qualified Counsellors. They also provide both practical and emotional support offered by their Support Team and a wealth of online resources, both here on their website and on their App.

Donations made in Rosie’s memory will help provide counselling sessions and support to someone bereaved by suicide.

The Whitley Fund for Nature
The Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) supports outstanding grassroots conservation leaders working to protect some of the world’s most threatened ecosystems and wildlife.

For over 30 years, WFN has funded local experts across Latin America, Africa and Asia, directing more than £26 million into conservation projects and helping protect 45 million hectares of critical habitat worldwide.

Based in London and championed by HRH The Princess Royal and Sir David Attenborough, WFN is one of the world’s most respected conservation charities.

Donations made in Rosie’s memory will help fund vital conservation work on the ground, supporting those protecting our planet at a time when biodiversity preservation has never been more urgent.

We would be extremely grateful if you could kindly donate to these two amazing charities