Donate to the Tom Windsor Memorial Fund for suicide prevention
Today, we’re really proud to announce the launch of the Tom Windsor Memorial Fund (TWMF), a campaign dedicated to supporting young men at risk of suicide with bespoke mental health information, advice, and services. The Fund launches on what would have been Tom’s 30th birthday, who tragically passed away on 10th July 2021.
Suicide remains the leading cause of death in men under 50 in the UK. From 2001 to 2018, suicide was the leading cause of death for both males and females aged 20 to 34 years in the UK, accounting for 27.1% of male and 16.7% of female deaths. In England, men are over 3 times more likely than women to die by suicide – the suicide rate for males in 2020 was 15.3 per 100,000, compared with 4.9 per 100,000 for females. Plus, the South West of England specifically has had the third-highest suicide rate for men for the past five reported years (2016 to 2020).
By launching the TWMF, we hope to reach more young men struggling with their mental health who may be at higher risk of suicide. All the money we raise in Tom's name will be dedicated to helping increase awareness and providing bespoke support to men in Devon. We will use your donations to reach as many men as possible who may need a helping hand to manage their mental health, and don’t know where to turn.
The Fund has been created in collaboration with Tom’s family, including his sister Sophie who yesterday (22nd May) completed the Great West Run in Exeter alongside her sister Tracy, in memory of Tom and in aid of Devon Mind. All the money raised so far in Tom’s memory – over £900 as of publishing – will be routed to the Fund to help young men across Devon. Your donations will increase the support we’re able to offer.
Helping Tom’s memory live on
“Tom touched so many of our hearts with his gentle soul, kind heart, bold attitude, and sense of humour.”
Speaking about the Tom Windsor Memorial Fund, Tom’s sister Sophie commented:
“As a family, we are extremely grateful to be working with Devon Mind to launch the TWMF, and to be able to honour Tom in this way. Tom was such a loving, caring, and gentle person who was loved by so many, and we miss him dearly. He always aspired to help others and we believe that the TWMF will enable Tom’s memory to live on. It is so special that this fund is being launched on what would’ve been his 30th birthday and we hope that it can help as many people as possible. There is still so much stigma around mental health and suicide. We hope that this fund will help to end this stigma and provide resources to men in Devon who are at risk of suicide.”
Andre Pusey, Marketing & Fundraising Manager at Devon Mind, added:
“We’re honoured to be able to immortalise Tom’s name in this new fund aimed specifically at helping young men at high risk of suicide. We know from experience that men in particular often find it really hard to approach a friend, a family member, or an organisation like us for help, so we want to find new, effective ways to reach more people in this group with advice and support that speaks directly to them.
“On a personal level, I knew Tom only a brief period of time when we were both teenagers, but I never forgot him and remember him with great fondness. He was always a bright light in any room – well-loved by his friends and peers, spoken of in nothing but the best terms. I really hope that Devon Mind’s supporters will join me in remembering Tom as someone who would always try to help other people.”
You can contribute to the Tom Windsor Memorial Fund by visiting tomwindsor.devonmind.com or by clicking the button below. We’ll also be setting up a page on the website with quotes from those who knew Tom – if you would like to add your own memorial, please complete the form below and we’ll include it.