Peter runs 100km for Dad
Created by Peter
21st March 2020
This event has closed
Story
On the 22nd and 23rd February, I was meant to be running from our home in Brixton up the Thames Path to Henley. At that stage, it was no more than a personal challenge (or minor mid-life crisis!) to achieve something before turning 30 and getting married this year. Friends were set to run different legs, we had a night in Windsor planned as a family and the idea was to finish in Henley in time to watch the England vs Ireland 6 Nations match and have a big celebration. After two months of intensive training and a ludicrous amount of carbohydrates in my body, I woke up on Friday 21st to 11 missed calls from Mum and my whole world came crashing down. I knew something wasn't right, but nothing could have prepared me for the words Mum spoke: "Your Dad has taken his own life". _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ For those of you who didn’t know Paul Crocombe, he was a loving father and husband, an inspirational teacher for 38 years, an avid sportsman and a true gentleman. He was selfless, talented, enthusiastic and admired. His character is best summarised by snippets from the hundreds of letters, cards and tributes that we’ve received since his passing: To friends he was “full of faith, loyal and caring”, to parents “he was the kindest, most generous and dedicated teacher their children have ever had”, to his pupils “he was compassionate and empowered so many to realise their potential” and to me as a son, he was all I ever could have wanted as a role model and a Dad. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Despair, sadness, anger, devastation, guilt – the range of emotions have been vast in the two weeks since Dad passed away. We’ve been told there’s no right or wrong way to grieve and different people cope in different ways. As such, I’ve listened to my body and mind to let them find their own defence mechanism and the way I’m wired, I can’t just sit back and accept. I need to a) find a logical reason for what happened and b) do everything I can to prevent this happening to another family. By no means is it a cure to the grief, sadness and pain but whilst I have a fire burning within me, having a purpose and making something positive of the situation is keeping total misery at an arm’s length; not least because I know it’s what Dad would have wanted too. __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ I have already learnt so much about mental health in these two weeks and I will continue to learn. Something I’m already having to make peace with, is that I’m not going to get a straight answer for what happened. It’s not going to be x + y = z. There isn’t a rulebook. It’s not a broken leg where a doctor knows how to fix it. Mental health doesn’t play by the rules and its depth and complexity renders any ‘equation’ unsolvable. What I do know though, is by talking about it, we break down many of the barriers it has traditionally imposed. There is still plenty to be done to fight this miserable disease and this is just my start. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Just over a week after Dad’s funeral (21st & 22nd March), I will be taking on the same route I had planned to do before he died. This time, I will be running for him and raising money in his name. I will be sharing the journey with friends and family who were equally inspired by Dad, reminiscing and remembering how great a man he was along the way. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Dad and I both shared an incredible love of sport and often discussed how powerful a tool it was for getting through life. The charity we are fundraising for, ‘Sport in Mind’, also shares this belief, with their main aim being to “improve the lives of people experiencing mental health problems through sport and physical activity.” It’s a charity which is already doing amazing work rolling out programmes in partnership with the NHS and also one where our money can really make a difference. From personal experience since Dad died, my only release to clear my head from the gut-wrenching grips of grief is when I’ve got out and done what we both loved, exercising and playing sport. I passionately believe in the benefits of exercise and Dad did too. (For more information about Sport in Mind, please see the ‘Donation’ page of this site) ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ If you’ve made it this far, thank you. Whether you knew Dad personally, or if you know someone else going through something similar, or if you just want to help prevent someone else’s loved one getting to where Dad did – we would love you to click the donate button, however big or small the amount. Every £ will be received with huge appreciation and love. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ It may be too late for Dad, but it’s not for someone else out there.Updates
Recent Donations
one year ago
Sarah Allen (nee Coulthurst)
Peter. I found out only today of your lovely dad passing, and my thoughts are with you all very much. You don't know me but I was boarding at Slieve Moor the day you were born! You brought laughter and happiness into the house and your dad was one incredibly proud man.
I hold many special memories both on and off the sports field. We used to listen out intently with our ears to the carpet upstairs for your folks nightly Coranation Street fix (no TV for us in those days) and will never forget being told rather firmly at the age of eight "2 sheets for no.1's and 4 sheets for no.2's girls!"
Your Dad's smile is etched in my memory and I shall always be grateful for his positivity, encouragement and praise up on the athletics track. I belive I bore my own children now of my sporting ventures at St. Anslems. They really were my happiest years in both education and sport for which I'll be forever grateful to Mr C.
RIP Mr Crocombe / Sir and please send a very big hug to your mum.
Stay strong Peter and family, your Dad was a very special man.
£50.00 (+ £12.50 Gift Aid)
3 years ago
Kirstie Sankey
With love, light and healing to all those suffering.
£15.00
3 years ago