Heartbreaking tributes to ‘kindest’ mental health charity volunteer, 22, who ‘took her own life’
TRIBUTES have flooded in for a “kind and genuine” 22-year-old charity volunteer who tragically took her own life.
Grace Nevens, from Leeds, supported the mental health charity Mind while balancing her studies and athletics training.
Family and friends have described her as “one of the kindest, most genuine people” following her tragic death on November 4.
The Leeds Athletics Society, where brave Grace was a member, are now planning to run 22km in 22 hours for the former student to raise awareness for mental health.
Grace was a member of the sports club while studying Drama at Leeds University.
Grace’s sister Lucy and her parents Sharon and Neil will join their loved one’s friends but will run a different route – instead passing through landmarks which have a special connection to Grace.
Donations will then be sent to Mind to fund their important work supporting those who are struggling.
Friends and family set out a target figure of £200 but the inspiring project has raked in an incredible £13,845 as of November 26.
Caitlin Minns, a member of Leeds Athletics Society, close friend of Grace and organiser of the 22 for Grace run said: “Since Grace had been with us for 22 years, I thought we could run 22km in 22 hours for those 22 years she was alive.
“Grace was so funny, always up for a laugh.
“But she was also the kind of girl that nothing was ever too much for, if it meant she was helping someone else.
“She was so giving and if she could help anyone in any way she would.”
Caitlin added that she has been left speechless by how much they have raised, adding that those who can’t make it in person can still dig out their running shoes.
She continued: “The support was crazy. I remember sitting in my bed thinking of the idea one minute, and having raised £7,000 within the next two days.”
“We made it flexible because obviously people have got uni, so it’s just however they best want to honour Grace’s life”, Caitlin added.
The Just Giving page for the run can be found here.
“Grace was a beautiful kind soul who enriched the lives of everyone she met despite struggling with her own mental health,” it reads.
“She has left a family and community bereft.
“For anyone wanting to support our cause generally, rather than an individual athlete / team, we have created a member called ‘LUUAC’, where these donations can be made.
“Grace was a loved and valued member of Athletics and she will be sorely missed by all of our members.
“All money raised will be going to the mental health charity Mind. Mind is a charity that Grace volunteered for to help others, despite her own mental health struggles, as that was the kind of person she was.”
You're Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,www.headstogether.org.uk
- HUMEN www.wearehumen.org
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans,www.samaritans.org, 116 123