Sarah Wood was heartbroken when she was told of the death of her sister, Chelsea. Only 20 at the time, Chelsea reportedly took her own life because "nobody listened to her".
A hospital worker, Sarah Wood shared that Chelsea had Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD) and had been diagnosed with anxiety and depression. However, she claims her sister was "brushed off" as she tried to access help.
"My sister didn’t want to die," she told Birmingham Live. "She wanted to live her life but she didn’t get any help."
Struggling to cope with her grief, Sarah is channelling her energy into fitness work and plans to run the Great Birmingham Run 10k in May to raise funds for mental health charity Mind.
The 28-year-old said: “I’d never run before but I wanted to do something in Chelsea’s memory. I want to run for Mind so they can have the funding they need to help other young people suffering mental health issues.”
Sarah’s painful memories of the build-up to her sister’s death in February last year acted as a catalyst to spur her on with her training. She said she used her time in the gym to channel her grief and her sense of responsibility for what happened into something more positive.
She said: “I blamed myself afterwards and that was really hard to deal with. I started going to the gym on the way home from work and it became my outlet. Chelsea suffered Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD) and had been diagnosed with anxiety and depression.
"Nobody listened to her or believed her, and she was constantly brushed off by the people who were meant to help. She was the bravest woman I know.
"She worked as a carer and had a massive heart. She was an amazing aunty to my children – she was always so patient with them.”
Sarah continued: “I remember she had the loveliest long black hair that went all the way down her back. I miss sitting with her and plaiting it.
"Thankfully I have lots of lovely memories but I miss laughing with her and I miss her good heart. I won’t let her memory be forgotten. That’s why I wanted to do the run.”
The half marathon and 10K – which take place on the same day – are open to runners of all ages and abilities, many of whom are raising funds for causes close to their heart, or as a fitness goal.
The 10K route starts in the city centre and takes runners past Bullring and out along Pershore Road to Cannon Hill Park, which marks the half-way point. Runners then loop around Edgbaston Cricket Ground and past Calthorpe Park.
There is then a final section through Digbeth before the grandstand city centre finish. Sarah’s 10K training has included regular weight sessions, working with a personal trainer and building up her running distances over recent months.
And her advice for fellow first-timers? “If you’re like me and doing this for the first time I would say believe in yourself,” she said. “Make sure you put the training in and set yourself a target, but don’t give up on yourself.
“I’ve not set myself a time limit, it will take me as long as it takes me. But even if I have to walk part of the way, I know I will make it to the finish line because my memories of Chelsea will keep me going.”
There’s a 20 per cent discount, automatically applied at checkout, for the 10k distance, valid until Friday, April 29 when entries close. The Great Birmingham Run takes place on Sunday, May 1. For more information or to enter, visit GreatRun.org
The Samaritans are available 24/7 if you need to talk. You can contact them for free by calling 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or head to the website to find your nearest branch. You matter.
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