Crystal salesman raises £2,000 for Swadlincote mental health charity
A MAN who had ‘suicidal thoughts’ earlier this year has smashed his fund-raising target for a charity that saved his life.
Stephen Beacham, 55, has a long history of mental health issues. He was born in Woodville and lives in Newhall and had considered taking his life in August but was saved by wife, Teresa.
Stephen, who sells crystals parttime at markets and fairs, has now raised more than £2,000 for the Bank House charity in Swadlincote.
Stephen said: “I’m OK at the moment. I am still on my road to recovery, thanks to Bank House. We have raised more than £2,200 for the charity and I am amazed.
“When I first started I thought we’d be lucky to get £600.
“It has just escalated. I think the charity is surprised, too, with how much I have raised. People are really pleased with what we have done.
“I have spoken to the people at Bank House and they’re happy I’m raising the funds. We’re in the process of planning for other events.
“One idea we had is to have me dress up as the Easter Bunny and have a raffle and tombola. I want to get firms and businesses in Swad behind me.”
Stephen said he has enjoyed his fund-raising and has thanked his friends and family.
“It’s been hard and tiring but I feel like it’s been successful.
“With the help of my wonderful wife Teresa and my friend Jo Smith, it’s been fantastic.
I’m shocked to have got over £2,000 and, hopefully, it will go a long way. I’d really like to thank everyone in the general Swad area for coming along to the fund-raising events.”
Speaking previously about the suicidal thoughts, he said: “In
August, I had an argument with (someone). It completely rolled me over. I was so frustrated and upset. I just remember thinking to myself ‘if that is how they think, I don’t want to be here’.
“I remember being in my living room, putting the phone down going upstairs, lying down and crying.
“Their words were just going round and round my head. I had pains in my knees and my heart.
“Honestly, it is thanks to Teresa, that I’m still here. She took away my pills and locked them in a cabinet.”
If you need help:
■■CALM (0800 58 58 58) thecalmzone.net has a helpline for men who are down and who need to talk or find information and support. They’re open 5pm to midnight, 365 days a year. ■■Depression Alliance is a charity for people with depression. It doesn’t have a helpline, but offers a wide range of useful resources and links to other relevant information depressionalliance.org
■■The Sanctuary (0300 003 7029 ) helps people who are struggling to cope - experiencing depression, anxiety, panic attacks or in crisis. You can call them between 8pm and 6am every night. There are other depression charities. ■■Havoca provides information to any adult who is suffering from past childhood abuse. www.havoca.org ■■Samaritans (116 123) samaritans. org operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org, write to Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK, PO Box 9090, STIRLING, FK8 2SA and visit www. samaritans.org/branches to find your nearest branch.