AN INSPIRING WEEKEND IN MEMORY OF POPULAR DAD
WELL-KNOWN LOCAL SPORTSMAN SADLY PASSED AWAY A YEAR AGO
THE anniversary of the death of a beloved New Waltham dad has been marked with an inspiring weekend of positivity.
Phil Merrison died on February 21 last year after a long battle with his mental health.
His close friend Lydia Gibbs has continued the Platform To Talk campaign which Phil set up, creating a supportive Facebook community for anyone in need.
People across North East Lincolnshire took part in positive tasks at the weekend and together with Phil’s former partner Karen Valentine and the Mighty Mariner, Lydia ran a ‘Mighty Mile’ on Cleethorpes seafront. Lydia said: “This is such a sad weekend, but we didn’t want to dwell on it.
“We’ve encouraged everybody to do one positive thing this weekend, whether it’s going for a run, writing a poem, planting a bush or baking something – it doesn’t matter what it is.
“Phil’s dad put on his vest and went for a run first thing this morning. This is the best way to remember Phil and his positivity.” Hundreds of people attended the funeral of the popular sportsman and mental health activist at Grimsby Minster last year.
The 51-year-old had spoken openly about his experiences with mental illness.
Platform To Talk was his proudest achievement, offering mental health training as well as raising awareness and breaking taboos of mental health. The group’s new Facebook page has created a supportive community which he would have been proud of.
“Our little community has sprung up from nowhere over the last few months. We’ve been completely overwhelmed with how many people have reached out help others,” Lydia said. It is mainly people in Grimsby and Cleethorpes, but we have members as far away as the States. It’s so inspiring to see people giving peer-to-peer support, looking out for each other. The Facebook group is a happy place, it’s certainly not all doom and gloom. “People can celebrate their achievements, and d if anyone says that they hey are struggling then en others will offer to meet them for a chat.” at.” The group is launching active ve shirts this week in partnership with h Scartho business Fittness Shak, which h Lydia hopes will l bond the commu- nity further r together.
■ Visit Platform To Talk’s Facebook page to join the group or for more information.