WE’RE RUNNING FOR JACOB

Last year Jacob Abraham ran the Cardiff Half Marathon days before taking his own life. This year 62 people ran the race in his memory

ON October 11 last year, Nicola Abraham lost her son Jacob when he took his own life. He was just 24.

Twelve months on, the Jacob Abraham Foundation which was started by Nicola in her beloved son’s memory continues to raise awareness of suicide, works to prevent the tragedy of it and also supports families affected by it.

Along the way a total of £45,000 has also been raised, with fundraising continuing.

Nicola started the foundation after having the idea with her friend Nicola McCue. Following Jacob’s death, the local community raised more than £10,000 to help the family with funeral costs but it was decided to use the money to set up the foundation instead.

Speaking about the foundation’s work so far, Nicola Abraham, who works as a child therapist, said: “We are looking at working in collaboration with the police to provide a comfort pack to give people. It will contain things like candles and blankets, as well as all the information about what you are going to experience and where help is available.

“It is really helpful to speak to someone who is in a similar posi- tion. I remember when Jacob first died I met with a mum whose child had died 10 months before.

It helped because she was wearing make-up and was looking after herself. It gave me hope, I didn’t think I could survive it up to that point but I realised I could survive it.”

The charity also funds a training provider to go into communities and deliver one-day courses. The course teaches people to recognise the signs, how to intervene and how to safeguard people at risk.

Nicola McCue runs the fundraising arm of the charity. On Suicide Prevention Day on September 10, they opened a shop on Splott Road in Cardiff.

Apart from selling thousands of T-shirts, the charity has also raised funds from football tournaments, Valentine’s Day balls and, most recently, runners in the Cardiff Half Marathon.

“We had 62 people running in the Cardiff Half Marathon” said Nicola McCue. “I ran the half in March but this time was in the runners’ village managing the store.”

The half marathon was particu- larly emotional as Jacob had run it t last year, just six days before hiss death. Nicola Abraham said: “Hee hadn’t run one before but ran it in n just one hour 36 minutes. Peoplee were trying to beat it but no onee could get near it. He was a sportsman and loved fitness.”

The Jacob Abraham Foundation’s logo of a lion is also very significant. Nicola McCue said: “When Jacob was growing up hee loved the film The Lion King and d his first tattoo was of a lion. It alsoo symbolises courage.”

Jacob’s mum said it is the courage to speak up about male suicide which is driving the charity. She said: “Seventy per cent of us will have thoughts of suicide in our lifetime. We need to givee young men the courage to speakk out.

“If we talk about it, it reducess the taboo and the stigma. If youu had a headache and you spokee about it people would say youu need painkillers. If it continued d people would recommend you go to a doctor. We need the same attitude to this.”

You can support thee foundation and find out about t their great work one their r website: www.facebook.com// The-Jacob-Abraham- Foundation