Sunday Sun

Life to the full

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unconsciou­s but I remember coming around slightly with my mam shaking me. I’ll never forget the sound of her crying,” Colin told the Sunday Sun.

“I was taken to hospital where I had my stomach pumped and they said if another hour had gone by, it would have been too late.

“I was bullied and picked on at school, kids will be kids. I wasn’t the best looking at that age, I was tall and skinny, with massive teeth. But I have learnt that those kids who picked on me probably wanted to be accepted as well.”

Colin, who received the outstandin­g contributi­on award at last year’s Chronicle Champions award night, opened his heart on his Facebook page as he is sharing his story with others who feel the world is closing in and is reassuring them light is at the end of their dark tunnel.

He posted: “I’ve done so much in my life since my school days. My whole school life was filled with being bullied. It took me years to come out of my shell.

“I was so shy always conformed to others opinions.

“I joined the forces where I became more confident in my own skin. Years passed, marriages failed. Loss of the chance to be a biological dad. But I’m a great believer in things happen for a reason.

“I moved around the globe over my lifetime and saw and experience­d so many wonderful things.

“Then 14 years ago I met Cath in a pub and my life changed.

“I was honoured to become a dad to her wonderful son.

“I was blessed to adopt Ollie and be a father where I got to teach him to ride a bike, learn to shave, watch in pure wonder at him becoming an incredible young gentleman.

“In that time I became involved in my fundraisin­g and saw another reason for my life.

“To see pure joy in people’s faces when you help them is so rewarding.

“Making folk smile is like winning the lottery. “Now go back to the 16-year-old me.

“The lad who thought the world would be better off without him in it. I’ll forever be grateful I did not succeed that day in taking my own life.

“I hope others feeling the same way can see you are needed, you are wanted, you are important to those you may not have met yet. Life is for living even if you don’t realise why yet.”

Colin is a different man today as he was as a teenager.

“Life is great now, life is so good,” added Colin. “It’s mine and Cath’s fifth wedding anniversar­y on Saturday and to date I’ve raised around £132,000.”

● Samaritans’ helpline is available round the clock; volunteers are ordinary people who provide a safe place for people to talk. Call 116 123 for free or email jo@samaritans. org.

 ??  ?? ■ Colin outside of his dress and in his chef’s uniform
■ Colin outside of his dress and in his chef’s uniform
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