16 years ago on October 19th 2008 we lost our youngest daughter Alisha to suicide. This day changed our lives forever. On that day we lost a daughter, a sister, a granddaughter and a great friend.

Alisha was so full of life. She lit up a room whenever she walked in. She would always make you laugh. She had a fiery temper. According to her Grandpa, she was a princess but no lady. She was intelligent and hard working. She was beautiful inside and out. She had a beautiful singing voice. She gave her heart to everything and to all who knew her.

All those years ago I found myself broken and very lost. My grief was all consuming. I tried to understand what went wrong in her life, that would have pushed her to take this step. I just wanted one last moment to ask her WHY? I tried many ways to understand why this had happened, but I did not find an answer.

In February 2009 I went along to a Support after Suicide Group run by Hope Bereavement Care, to try and find some solace in my grief. This group helped me realise that I was not alone. I found comfort from others in the group and hope that  I would make it through and come out the other side.

Fast forward 16 years and I am very aware that the suicide rate continues to grow and other families find themselves facing this unimaginable loss.  So, on this 16th anniversary I am raising funds to support the work of Hope Bereavement Care, who provide support for those who have experienced the loss of loved ones to suicide and other sudden and unexpected deaths.

Hope receives no government funding and relies on our community for donations. Their support has been so helpful to me and so many others, but they need our help to continue their great work. 

If you are able to help by making a donation or sharing this page, you will be helping Hope to continue to support others in our community who are grieving.

No one  should be alone in their grief.