Our Story
On 19th September 2023 we lost Robert, our husband and father, to suicide. That day our lives were shattered and we went from being the family everyone envied to the family everyone pitied. Robert was an integral part of all of us, a key piece of our jigsaw. Happy, successful, relaxed, friendly, chatty, proud, and a lover of everything he had, his death shocked us more than words can describe and has changed us forever. Hard as it might be to believe this, none of us had any idea Robert was in trouble until it was too late. If we’d have had an idea, perhaps we could have altered the course of events. Perhaps not. We’ve gone from a family of 5 to a family of 4 far too early.
In the months after Robert died, a friend introduced us to Suicide&Co, a fantastic charity helping those bereaved by suicide. Suicide&Co is the only national charity providing professional support to people bereaved by suicide. We used their counselling services to help us navigate life after Robert’s death and their impact has been immense on us all. Suicide&Co has been a vital support for our family, offering professional counselling and a safe space to feel heard. In 2023 when Robert died, the suicide rate for men in England and Wales rose to its highest in 26 years - 17.4 deaths per 100,000. Globally, one life is lost to suicide every 40 seconds. The charity has seen rapidly increasing demand for its counselling services every single day as more and more people bereaved by suicide are reaching out for help. The money we raise will enable Suicide&Co to continue to provide its vital services. While nothing can bring Robert back, their work helps people like us find a positive way forward.
Who are the Ashes?
We are the Ash family. Charlotte, Camilla, James and Henry.
Charlotte
Mum and wife. 62 years old.
The mother of the team in this crazy adventure though not sure who will be in charge…
“I have had wanderlust my whole life but had never thought of it coming in this form. Water based activities have never been my forte and waves are things I hope will only happen in my brain! I had never imagined being where I am in life right now and am definitely daunted by what lies ahead but in memory of my husband and best friend I will give this my absolute best.”
Camilla
Sister and daughter. 36 years old.
“The only long distance open water crossing I’ve done was as a passenger in a sailing boat from Colombia to Panama. The journey took 36 hours with rough seas the entire way, and I vowed never to do something like that again! And here I am...
I’m a linguist, a lawyer and love travelling. My favourite place in the whole world though is Yorkshire, and it will always be the place I call home. I’m terrified by this challenge, and I know my dad would think us mad, but I can’t wait to make him proud.”
James
Brother and son. 34 years old.
“I’m into music as well as endurance sports. I’m more at home running a marathon than I am on a rowing machine. I also love racquet sports and get on the tennis or padel court whenever I can. My 9-5 is for a bank. This row is to honour Dad and to prove to myself that we can achieve amazing things despite everything that has happened to us.”
Henry
Brother and son. 31 years old.
“I love sport and rowing the Atlantic was my idea! I’m determined to succeed whatever it takes. This row is for Dad and giving others hope to survive the hardest moments in life.”
Follow us on Instagram @ashfamilyrow
