Northamptonshire charity We Mind & Kelly Matters is updating its name to Kelly’s Heroes to highlight its growth and to unite its mental health services and fundraising activities.
The charity was set up in 2019 after the devastating loss of Kelly Hewitt, who ended her life aged just 24. We Mind & Kelly Matters was formed by Kelly’s family as they emerged from their grief, shock and anger wanting everyone to understand that ‘Kelly mattered’. Numerous fundraising events began, and the band of resolute fundraisers and followers were aptly named Kelly’s Heroes.
The two largest events were cycle rides from John O’Groats to Land’s End in 2020, and The Loneliest Road Cycle Tour across Europe and then New York to San Francisco in 2022. Teams of cyclists rode as Kelly’s Heroes, not only raising in excess of £300,000 but also creating enormous awareness and funding for mental health, breaking down stigma around suicide and helping fund the services and training delivered by We Mind & Kelly Matters.
John Hewitt, Kelly’s dad, and co-founder of the charity said:
“The renaming marks an exciting new chapter for the charity. Having organised the Kelly’s Heroes cycle rides, I’ve trained and ridden with those heroes and the charity has evolved, developing expertise, and forming its own identity, growing from a foundation of pure grief to a place of hope.
“The family and the cyclists have met with some of the recipients of funding, people who have used the support, accessed bereavement workshops and more, and it quickly became clear to us, that they are all heroes, each and every one of them. We will always want Kelly’s name to be remembered and we think the new name is a fitting tribute to her memory and the tireless work put in by our staff and supporters over the last four years.”
Kelly’s Heroes hopes to continue breaking down barriers and open up more conversations around the importance of not only managing your mental health but maintaining and promoting good positive wellbeing.
CEO Sherry Adams said:
“The charity was founded around two purposes, to raise much-needed funding, and to enable people in need to get support. The two are coming together under one name, one identity, all the events and work every fundraiser undertakes, all the donations they all underpin our support services, it became clear we needed just one name.
“Changing to Kelly’s Heroes better reflects the ethos of all that we do, and that everyone who either works for the charity, fundraises for the charity, or bravely reaches out for support, they are all Kelly’s Heroes. If you cycle thousands of miles, run a marathon with tired limbs, have a cake sale, or be the one that reaches out and asks for help when you are feeling low, all of those actions are admirable, brave and determined.”
Kelly’s Heroes will continue to support those in need through free services, including online support 365 days a year. Every evening, from 6 to 9pm, the Listening Ear service offers emotional support to everyone, from those struggling to manage good positive wellbeing to those dealing with poor mental health, suicide ideations, and bereavements by suicide.
For more information about Kelly’s Heroes, whether you are a business looking for a potential Charity of Year, a fundraiser, looking for training courses or in need of support, visit the website.
