Blog Post

The journey: Why we’re supporting the charity, Mind.

Elliot • 15 March 2019

This simple, austere black saloon car holds a lot of sentimental value. As it’s unlikely that I’ll have any children to hand Bessy onto, it’s very important that I build a legacy for her. A higher purpose perhaps?

For that reason, as well as restoring her for the road, I want to use her story to raise awareness about mental health.

In Britain, 1 in 4 people will suffer with a mental health condition. Suicide is the biggest killer of men under the age of 35.

The focus will be on how we can to educate children and young adults to care for their mental health, in the same way we teach them to look after their physical health. I specifically wanted to use the story of Bess to appeal to boys and men, who historically have struggled to talk about and address matters of mental ill health.

It’s a cause close to my heart and something that has impacted me and members of my family. The full plan of how I’m going to do this still needs some work. But in that great tradition of starting with the end in mind, I intend for this to me much more than a simple* restoration.

Mind do amazing work. They provide support and advice that can empower anyone living with mental ill health, or indeed supporting people with mental health problems. You can listen to the president of Mind (and personal hero of mine) Stephen Fry below if you want to find out a little more. I’ll also put some handy web addresses and contact numbers on the links page of this site.

Why are we doing this? Well, it's simple. No one should live with a mental illness alone.

*I say simple… I’m pretty sure that this car is going to cause a great many complications, sleepless nights, unforeseen expense and general stress along the way. But I’m ready for it.

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The journey: The Reveal

by Elliot • 19 Feb, 2021

Firstly, in addition to sharing the video of the reveal I said I would share details of the JustGiving page that we've set up to raise some funds for The Royal British Legion , The Alzheimer's Society and Mind in his memory. You'll find the page for donations HERE , and I've also updated the original post with the same link. Alternatively, you can click on the charity logo image below.

The Journey: Goodbye Grandad

by Elliot • 14 Feb, 2021

If you knew my grandad personally his funeral will be held on 25 March 2021 at Sandwell Crematoriu m, although it is likely that Covid-19 restrictions will limit numbers. In lieu of flowers, all we’re asking is that you do what came so naturally to him - Tell those people precious to you that you love them. If you’d like to make a donation to his memory, we will be splitting the proceeds three ways. To the Royal British Legion, the Alzheimer’s Society and of course, to Mind. You can do so by heading to our JustGiving page . For now though, there are plenty of wonderful memories for us to immerse ourselves in. How lucky we are to have them. And how lucky we were to have you; Ron, Ronaldo Longero, Corporal R.S Long, ‘Old Grumpy’... Grandad. Sleep well. We love you.