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‘Hearing of Patrick’s death made me ask whether I was truly enjoying music. Life is short and things can change so quickly. I wondered what my future looked like?’
Eventually he gave up singing and moved into finance, and today Ben works as a group tax manager, singing only occasionally. For fresh focus, he also turned to physical challenges, channelling his energy into something constructive to honour his old friend.
Next summer, marking ten years since Patrick’s death, Ben hopes to complete a series of endurance challenges to raise £50,000 for youth suicide prevention charity Papyrus.
‘I’m not quite over the fact that Patrick is gone. This is a way of keeping his memory alive and honouring the time we shared and how it shaped me,’ he explains.
‘I want to use my time in a way that is productive and helpful. I want to raise as much awareness as possible for Papyrus, a charity Patrick supported during his life.’
With the help of coaches Sean Dodsworth of Leadout Performance and Ieuan Belshaw, Ben has taken on a series of physical challenges, progressing from half marathons to marathons, then to Ironman events and ultramarathons.
On 15 May, during Mental Health Awareness Week, Ben will attempt the Ultra-Trail Snowdonia 100-mile race as part of Project for Patrick, a multi-year endurance challenge series. Next year, he plans to take on Ironman Italy and the Marathon des Sables.
Ben adds: ’There are people out there suffering mentally and physically who cannot find hope or purpose. I feel privileged to be able to take on challenges like this, and I want to use that to raise awareness and funds. At the heart of all is Patrick, who felt he couldn’t continue.’
