As many of you will know, on Sunday 16th March 2014, my mum Jane, who had been suffering with what we all though was mild depression, took her own life. She kept her depression from everyone, her family, friends and medical professionals alike. Depression is a horrible disease that has ripped our family apart.

We would like to thank everyone who has stepped out and supported us this week. The kind messages and phone calls have been amazing and make you realize how loved she was and how the Hi-fi community can come around someone in our time of need.

We will never get Jane back, but we can help prevent the suffering of others. 1 in 4 people will suffer mental illness at some point in their life, and there are amazing charities such as Mind who help people get through some of the toughest periods life throws at them. Mind helped Jane before her passing, and were also mentioned in her letters to us. Because of this, this summer I will be taking part in 3 open water triathlons to raise money for Mind Mental health and also raise awareness of mental health is our communities.

I will will be competing in:

1st June 2014 – Market Bosworth Open water Triathlon

22nd June 2014 – The Wicksteed Park Open water Triathlon

1st August 2014 – The Virgin Active London Triathlon 2014.

There is currently a national crisis in the UK with budget cuts and spending reviews removing front line services for mental health patients. Mental health services get 13% of the NHS budget whilst treating well over 30% of all patients seen. Without the help of charities such as Mind and other mental health charities, people will not be receiving the vital help that they need at their darkest hour.

If you would like to support me in my challenge to raise money for Mind mental health charity and prevent what we have been through happening to anyone else, please feel free to give even a small amount on the Jane Shellabear JustGiving page or if you are based in the UK text JANE79 followed by an amount you would like to donate (£1, £3, £5, £10 etc) to 70070. For example ‘JANE79 £10’

We really appreciate everything our friends and clients have done for us over the past week by coming round and supporting our whole family and hope I that with this challenge we can prevent a tragedy like this happening to any other family.

To donate, please visit http://www.justgiving.com/Janeshellabear

Thank you.