Norwich resident Paul Saunders (37) ran the Lowestoft Scores Race in September in memory of his brother Sean, who took his own life in 2003, while suffering from depression. Paul ran the race in aid of The Davenport Trust and raised £1822 37p for the Norfolk charity.
Photograph (right ) shows James Clarke (left) founder of The Davenport Trust with Paul Saunders.
The Davenport Trust was set up to help people of all ages recognise and deal with the symptoms of depression, an illness from which, unbelievably, one in four of us suffers.
Paul and brothers Sean and Dean grew up in Lowestoft. Their parents used to run The Crown Hotel at the top of Crown Score.
"I have never been a runner," said Paul. "But last January made a resolution to get fit. I needed a focus to keep me going and thought that the Lowestoft Scores race would be the ideal challenge with all the hill climbs. Doing something positive in Sean’s memory has been an additional inspiration. I have been overwhelmed by the generosity of my friends, family and colleagues and am very pleased to have raised just over £1800 for The Davenport Trust, which was set up following a tragic loss of life not dissimilar to Sean."
James Clarke, Davenport Trust founder said: "My heart felt thanks to Paul and his supporters for thinking of The Davenport Trust. We are a small charity that is keen to remove the stigma attached to depression and especially help young people combat its symptoms."
The Davenport Trust takes its name from Shaun Davenport, a 17 year-old student at Hewett School, Norwich, who faced a bright future, yet took his own life in January 2003. The trust’s first publication I Feel Shit featuring contributions from young people, giving their personal views on how depression can be combated is due to be published in 2010, http://www.davenporttrust.org.uk/.
