A wide scale search was launched for Ponteland resident Sally when she went missing on Boxing Day. It transpired that she had taken her own life, after secretly battling mental health problems.
Her family are raising funds for a number of courses locally to enable adults to get the information they need to understand, improve and safeguard their own mental health, as well as that of their loved ones.
Already, they have raised £21,000 for national charity Mind.
Sally’s son Clive and his wife Annie Eccles, who live in Hexham, are preparing to join 57,000 others in completing the 13.1 miles of the Great North Run.
Clive said: “It’s about educating people and letting them know that we all have mental health issues, whether they’re good or bad.
“I’m sure my mum suffered from low self esteem but it wasn’t something we ever talked about or dealt with because she would hide her feelings and would light up a room when we were around.
“She chose not to share her feelings but, if she did talk with the family, I would like to think she would still be here today.”
With money already in the pot, Clive and Annie, who were married last month, decided to tackle the Great North Run for Mind, along with friends Luke Watson, James Clark, James Leslie and Nathan Squires.
Donations can be left at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/run4sally
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