Brodie’s Story
Beautiful Brodie
On the 10th March 2020 my world fell apart completely. My beautiful and talented daughter and only child (Brodie) felt that she could no longer cope in this world tragically taking her own life (she was just 16 years old).
Brodie and I were as close as a mother and daughter could possibly be. We shared a mutual love of animals and the outdoors (especially with horses). Brodie was an extremely talented show jumper and we spent nearly all of our time at the yard and travelling the country show jumping. We loved spending our time together! Brodie also excelled academically and somehow managed to juggle school workload with her busy equine lifestyle. Brodie was predicted amazing GCSE grades in all subject areas at school and was busy planning what she would like to do in the future to achieve her dreams.
During the months, weeks and days leading to losing Brodie, there seemed to be very little change in the way she acted. She continued to make precise notes in preparation for her GCSE exams, she continued to compete at shows and meticulously care for Archie (her horse). Most of all, she continued to tell me that she loved me numerous times a day.
I was aware that Brodie was having difficulties in school during year 11 with ‘friends’ that she had known from an early age. They seemed to be making her feel isolated and turning other friendship groups against her. I had tried to encourage Brodie to let me help and contact the school for support but she was adamant that she was ok and that she was able to ‘deal with it’. Although Brodie was reluctant at the time to have any intervention, I made sure that Brodie knew I was always there to love and support her as I had done throughout her whole life. I truly believed that she would never feel that there was no other way forward than to take her own life. I thought that is what tragically happens to other families! I couldn’t have been more wrong! One minute we were going about our usual life and daily routines and the next, my life and the lives of so many others changed forever…you see, the ripple of a life lost to suicide reaches out further and wider than you could ever imagine.
As a parent nothing can prepare you for such tragedy. For your whole world and everything you live for to be gone within the space of a few hours is beyond comprehensible. At 7pm on the 10th of March 2020 I still had my beautiful girl by my side laughing and joking and by 9.30pm she was gone! My purpose for living, my role of being a mum was just ripped away in a heartbeat and being replaced with only a huge void.
After losing my beautiful girl I realised that I had two choices; To lie down and admit defeat or to stand up, carry on and fight on to help others. I began to understand the huge impact and the rise in poor mental wellbeing and suicide in young people. I began to see the stigma around young people feeling unable to ask for help and support with their mental health and so I began my own journey of raising awareness. Raising awareness to help prevent the loss of more young lives that leave so many parents, families, peer groups and whole communities in utter devastation and heartbreak #DoItForBrodie
DoItForBrodie Therapy Ponies
Miniature Therapy Pony visits:
DoItForBrodie offers two Miniature Shetland ponies for bespoke sessions to enhance mental health and wellbeing in young people. Sessions are offered on a one-to-one basis or small group (of up to four people). The hourly sessions will conveniently take place at the booker’s location to help ease any anxiety or stress for young people who find it difficult to travel offsite or visit unfamiliar places. The DoItForBrodie therapy ponies are able to offer visits across various settings, including:
v Schools
v Colleges
v Universities
v Children’s residential homes
v Community events
v Workplace wellbeing days
Sessions with the ponies include petting and grooming, in hand walking, interacting with the ponies and learning about caring for ponies and their needs.
Our therapy ponies can enhance emotional support by helping to reduce anxiety and depression therefore improving mood and motivation. Talking and petting the ponies encourages a channel for emotional release. The sessions are designed help initiate conversation, release social anxiety and lend support those who have suffered trauma. The visits from our ponies can also offer unique and effective benefits to physical needs and help aid; improved sleep patterns, reduce heart rate and lower blood pressure.
Horseshoes of Hope
About the Horseshoes
Since losing my beautiful Brodie, I wanted to look for a way in which to honour her memory but also to offer help and support to others at the same time.
I began making Horseshoes of hope in February 2022. I thought it was a really lovely way to remember what Brodie loved to do in her life and her love of horses whilst also raising awareness for others.
The horseshoes are made up and decorated by myself. Once made, they are taken by friends and volunteers to be placed in appropriate places around the UK and beyond…hopefully finding their way to someone struggling and in need of support. They each contain a poem for the ’finder’ to read and a QR code to scan to take you directly to the DoItForBrodie website. Here, the recipient can explore the relevant help and support they may need.
I have made a few hundred horseshoes to date and I only hope and pray that at least some of them have helped someone struggling with low mental wellbeing or thoughts of suicide.
Following the DoItForBrodie C.I.C launch in October this year will see me holding Horseshoe of Hope workshops. Here young people will be able to hand-make their very own horseshoe whilst exploring avenues available for those who struggle with mental wellbeing. They then decide whether to keep the horseshoe, pass it on to someone they care about or place it in their community to help support others.
MY fUNDRAISING JOURNEY 🐴
(2021) Walking 285 miles for the 285 lives lost to suicide in Wales 2020
In autumn 2021 I was looking for a challenge to help fundraise for PAPYRUS (Prevention of Young Suicide). Friends suggested that I find out the number of lives lost to suicide in 2020 and walk a mile for each life. Of course on looking at the research, unbelievably this turned out to be thousands of people lost to suicide in the UK in just one year💔
I began looking at the statistics for Wales and found out that in 2020 (the year that I lost Brodie), tragically 285 beautiful people had lost their lives to suicide that year.
I signed up for a virtual 285 mile walk along the Grand Canyon and began walking my local area. Each mile walked represented one person who had lost their life to suicide in Wales.
I finished the final 11 miles on December 10th 2021 (What would have been Brodie’s 18th Birthday) finishing the day with a beautiful celebration of her life.
This walk raised over £10,000
Leg On To London (2023)
November 2023 saw me take on a huge fundraising and awareness challenge for mental health and suicide prevention.
On a freezing Saturday morning, at The David Broome Event Centre, I embarked on a huge 157 mile journey from Chepstow to London pulling a lifesize resin horse (weighing in at over 80kg).
The journey saw me take on various pavements, cycle routes and canal paths to be able to make it with Miles (the resin horse) to the London International Horse Show.
(Picture: Starting Day 1 at The David Broome Event Centre)
The beginning of the journey saw me cross the Severn Bridge into England and this location was the perfect place to place a Horseshoe of Hope.
(Picture: Placing a Horseshoe of Hope on the Severn Bridge)
There were so many highs and lows along the way but I was so lucky to have such amazing support from family, friends and also strangers throughout my journey.
Along the way, we encountered narrow paths, fallen trees, steps, bad weather and broken parts to Mile’s base but there were always amazing people just at the right time to help me overcome each and every problem.
(Picture: Miles losing a wheel along the canal path! A lovely couple on a canal boat saved us by warming us up with coffee and mince pies and fixing Miles’ wheel)
The canal path turned out to be extremely challenging. There were days of rain and deep mud making it more difficult for Miles’ wheels to turn. Also there were days that were so icy that the muddy ruts turned solid making Miles and his wooden trolley difficult to roll.
(Picture: Tow path bridges were a challenge having to roll Miles extremely close to the edge so he would fit through)
A surprise from Prince William
One moment on my walk to London that I will certainly cherish forever is when HRH The Prince of Wales popped out from behind the Miles the horse to come and show his support. He was so kind and supportive and helped me to push Miles through the streets of Slough…such a surreal and cherished moment of the trip!
(Picture: …needs no explanation…Oh the shock on my face and the most wonderful moment)
Mlies was welcomed at each and every place we stayed. The Support from Family and friends was phenomenal and I couldn’t have done it without them ♥️
(Picture: Miles in the lounge of The Corus Hotel, Hyde Park joining in with our well earned supper!)
The final day through the centre of London was so emotional from starting off at Hyde Park with the team from Park Lane Stables, being escorted through London by the Mounted Police to the amazing welcome at the Excel Arena and the London International Horse Show.
(Picture: Guard of Honour to finish at the London International Horse Show…how very special)
Support from BBC Breakfast
We received huge support from BBC Breakfast who undoubtedly helped us raise awareness along the way for which I am truly grateful for. Miles was also invited BBC Breakfast Studio in Manchester Where we spoke all about our walk. He’s become quite a superstar.
(Picture: On the red sofa in the BBC Breakfast Studio)
AND THERES MORE…
I only ever expected to walk to London with Miles and that would be it. I’ve since realised that people ARE seeing Miles as that beacon for mental health who breaks down stigma and opens up so many important conversations. This is why I walked again to The Horse of the Year Show in October 2024. Our walk raised lots of awareness and so many people came out to join us and shared their stories.
The fundraising walks with Miles have raised nearly £90,000 for mental health and suicide prevention due to the lovely support and generosity of so many people.
Do we intend to walk again? ABSOLUTELY YES!!!! 🚶🏻♀️🐴
(Picture to right: With Miles in the BBC BReakfast Studio)
PLEASE DONATE HERE
DoItForBrodie Community Interest Company
With the launch of DoItForBrodie C.I.C just around the corner, we are fundraising to be able to get our miniature shetland therapy ponies (Belle and ini Miles) out and about. We really need a horse box to be able to transport them to make visits to young people for mental wellbeing. Donations are truly appreciated ♥️
Find the help and support you need here 👇🏼
CLICK HERE FOR SUPPORT 👇🏼
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HOPELINE UK
Is a free, confidential, non-judgemental space to talk openly about your thoughts of suicide with trained advisors. We can work with young people, concerned others and professionals via phone, text email and webchat.
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You can get in touch with SAMARITANS about anything that’s troubling you, no matter how large or small the issue feels. We are there to listen with no judgement, no pressure, and help you work through what's on your mind. We'll never tell you what to do.
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We’re Mind. We’re here to fight mental health. For support for respect, for you.
We change minds across England and Wales by making mental health an everyday priority. By standing up to the injustices – in healthcare, in work, in law – which make life harder for those of us with mental health problems.
We support minds – offering help whenever you might need it through our information, advice and local services.
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Supporting you and your mental health
Whether you want to understand more about how you're feeling and find ways to feel better, or you want to support someone who's struggling. Young minds can help by supporting young people, parents and those working with children and young people.
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For all riders and equestrians
Riders Minds is an online bespoke resource dedicated to supporting the mental health and well-being of all horse riders, drivers and equestrians.
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No young person should ever feel alone
When life feels tough, we want you to know that there’s someone there for you. We've come together with five other leading mental health charities to say that if you're a young person struggling with any kind of mental health worry, you’re not alone. However you're feeling right now, you don't have to face it alone. We're here to support you with your mental health.
Take a look at our resources, information and support, find further help or reach out to one of our volunteers.
"You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
