Let's meet Leesa!
Meet the R4R Runners #78
Welcome to the 78th edition of the Meet the R4R Runners, where this week we get to meet Leesa. Together with her daughters (Taylor and Mackenzie), Leesa has create ‘I Got You’ which is a fantastic initiative you’ll hear more about below and tonight, and its success so far is a testament to her care, strength, and willingness to help those around her.
We are truly grateful for Leesa and her efforts with R4R and we’re thankful for the answers she’s provided below… we know they wouldn’t have been easy. So, without further ado, let’s meet Leesa!
What is your name?
Hi, my name is Leesa
Where are you from?
I’m originally from Wollongong where I grew up and then had a very short stint in Sydney before moving to Brisbane. I returned to Wollongong 4 years later but felt the need to move and found Canberra where I’ve been for 22 years.
What's your favourite thing about Canberra?
Even though I’ve been here for 22 years, I still love that there are amazing places to discover in my backyard. The easy walking paths in suburbia but especially the sunsets. Love the sunsets a little more since Josh suicided in April 2021
How did you hear about R4R and when did you first attend?
A friend of mine, Shannon Kara, would continually rave about R4R. Nothing could be booked in on a Wednesday night as she had to attend this running event. After a while, Shannon started suggesting that I attend and that’s what I did, along with my daughter Taylor about 6 months ago, especially after hearing you could walk.
What's your favourite thing about R4R?
I love the community feel and supportive vibe of the evening. Everyone rallies around each other and gives you a ”boost” even if they don’t realise. It’s very inclusive no matter if you attend on an irregular basis or if you are a regular. I’m the irregular one, but feel that I’m also the lucky one. What a great group of “strangers”.
You're involved with something called "I Got You". Can you tell us a bit about it and why you started it?
I Got You – 3 powerful, yet simple words….
My son Josh suicided in April 2021. Before Josh’s death, he would often tell the people around him “I Got You”, it was his way of letting people know that he was there for them and loved them. After his death, while doing Josh’s end-of-life admin (traumatic in itself), I came across where he had written it. We decided that this wasn’t fate and that we should do something with it. So I Got You was started. We sell apparel and raise funds for local organisations that have a focus on men’s Mental Health and importantly raise awareness of suicide. We’ve had a couple of fundraisers, raising over $70,000.
R4R’s very own Matt, MC’d our I Got You fundraiser in April this year and assisted us in raising $50,000, strengthening community ties as well as supporting our cause.
On the topic of events, our inaugral Gala is coming up with limited seating available. The dress theme is cocktail and it shapes to be a great night. To secure your tickets, please click through the link below.
On Sunday 10 September, World Suicide Prevention Day, we are holding a Trek of all Trades, starting at Hall at 10 am and finishing in Casuarina Sands. Everyone is welcome to come along. It’s an opportunity to bring the community together to support each other on a difficult day, reflect on the lives lost to suicide, and check in on one another. The day will be a fun day with a BBQ hosted by OzHelp at the end. Standby Support after Suicide and the Mens Table will be attending to provide support if needed.
Suicide is a serious topic, but on Sunday, we encourage people to have fun and show one another that we can be serious but remain light-hearted. I should clarify (especially to this group) that the trek is a driving trek, not a walking (or running) one
I can't imagine how hard it would be to lose a child, is there anything you wish you could have told yourself during those times?
Hmmm, interesting question….for me, after receiving that call, my whole world was shattered. I just don’t know how else to describe it. I felt that I was watching myself in a nightmare and I was the lead role. I felt that way for many weeks, months even. Just waiting for Josh to walk through the door, call me or message me. To a degree, I still am waiting. When I reflect on that time (which I do frequently), I think that in a way I was extremely lucky. Despite my family living in Wollongong, they were at my door within a matter of hours. My brother pretty much took “control” of everything, he was the Director of the nightmare. Not a role he wanted either.
I don’t think there is anything I would go back and tell myself to do differently- except to maybe take some time for me to feel how I was feeling at that moment. Grieve, like really grieve and to do that whenever I felt the need to do so. Cry, like ugly cry if I needed it. Trying to stay strong for everyone, in particular my two beautiful girls, was at times exhausting and possibly not the healthiest of choices – but I made it work and don’t get caught up on that.
Is there anything you wish you could have told Josh?
Hmmm, a tough question…
I had a wonderful relationship with Josh and was able to chat to him about most things. I recall asking him twice (over different periods) if he was planning on taking his life. Both times he said no. However in hindsight, I wish I had the skills that I’ve learnt since his suicide to help him. Could I have helped him? Yes. Would he still be alive today? Maybe, who knows…
I try not to overthink the “what if I told him…”
Josh knew he was very loved and still is loved – every moment of every day.
My one message I would like to communicate to this community is to consider doing a Suicide First Aid course. It could just save a life.
Thanks for reading. Hope you can join us in our I Got You suicide awareness activities in the future and thanks for accepting me into your community.
Great answers, Leesa. Very considered, thoughtful, and honest.
