Hollie

When Hollie’s mum died suddenly and unexpectedly, she found herself facing a grief that felt impossible to navigate alone.

Traumatised by her loss, Hollie knew she needed support — and through Cruse Scotland, she found a safe space where she could begin to process what had happened, surrounded by people who understood.

Hollie said: “When my mum passed away, it was sudden and unexpected. I knew that I wanted some support. At that point, I was very, very traumatised, and it was really a traumatic experience.

“Lesley was super lovely and just informed me that the initial group sessions were about to take place, and about the option of the bereavement helpline and one-to-one counselling, which would be available six months onwards after the bereavement.

“I decided to opt in to attend the group sessions. So, being honest, I was apprehensive about it because I think on one hand, there was that fear of having to face the reality and talk about what happened, which I kind of did not want to do.

“Lesley explained it was trained counsellors who were taking the sessions, so I knew that I would be in, like, safe hands. Straight away, everyone was so lovely, including the people that were there for the sessions.

“They were really welcoming, and I recognised the setting was a safe space in terms of support from the counsellors and how the other people made me feel.

“As the sessions went on, just exploring your grief and listening to others as well and realising, you are not alone and some of the thoughts you have others have too.

“Some thoughts go through your mind of, oh, I want to go and be with my mum or, you know, I don't want to be here and things and those sessions really gave me kind of safe space to almost express that safely.

“I found the sessions super, super helpful. I would not have managed to get through those first few months if I had not had the support from Cruse Scotland.

“They were there, letting you know about all these other supports that were available and the strategies they would give you and the support they would give you, but not just the counsellors; the other people that were there were helping me to recognise I wasn't alone and that they were going through it as well.

“Thereafter, we created a WhatsApp group, and we have all stayed in touch, and yes, that post-support has been brilliant.”

Hybrid Games

Now, Hollie is turning her experience into something positive. Having already transformed her own health and fitness journey, she is taking on the demanding Hybrid Games to honour her mum, who had always been one of her biggest supporters.

Hollie raised over £2,600 for Cruse Scotland, an incredible amount.

Hollie said: “Before my mum passed away, I was on a quite big health journey and had lost almost 10 stone, and I was getting a lot fitter and healthier and wanting to really challenge myself.

“So, when I saw this event, it is a wee bit like Hyrox and involves 10 runs and then 10 stations in between each run. So, it is a real test.

“It was on the 10th of the 10th, which I am quite spiritual about and is an angel number. So that was one reason. And the other reason was it took place in October, and my mum's birthday is also in October.

“I thought it was a really good way of kind of honouring her name, and because she was a huge supporter in my fitness and health journey, always cheering me on and just reminding me that I could achieve everything that I wanted to achieve.

“I wanted to do it in her name, but after, as I say, realising how much of a lifeline Cruse Scotland was for me.

“So, that's why I wanted to try and fundraise for them for that reason, because of the amount of help and support I got from it and how crucial it was for me, and there haven't been any other services like it in Scotland.”