Reverend Robbie Hamilton
A big thank you to Reverend Robbie Hamilton who has successfully climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge and so far raised over £730 for Cruse Scotland.
Thank you to Adam, Lewis and Captain Colin for organising the fundraiser as part of their King's Badge with the 190th Glasgow Boys Brigade.
Reverend Robbie has shared why he decided to raise funds for Cruse Scotland and how grief has shown up in his life.
Can you tell us why you have decided to climb Sydney Harbour Bridge and raise funds for Cruse Scotland?
I had a trip planned to Australia and spent over a week in Sydney.
I had thought of climbing the bridge and doing it for charity, and when I heard that Adam and Lewis were looking to do a fundraiser as part of their King’s Badge for Cruse Scotland, it seemed to be the obvious choice.
It is a good cause and encourages partnership between The Boys Brigade and Cruse Scotland itself.
I was also diagnosed with Esophageal Cancer over four years ago, and against the odds and because of surgery and treatment, I am here four years later, which is quite remarkable. I am making the most of the life that I have.
Have you ever done anything like this before, and how are you feeling about the challenge?
I walked 115km of the Camino de Santiago in 2022 for Tradecraft Exchange. I am so very excited.
I do have butterflies – the vertical ladders – but we get to practice beforehand. I cannot wait to get to the top! The views will be amazing, and the sense of achievement will be awesome.
Why do you think supporting people through bereavement is so important?
It is so important, and I have often spoken about (and written about) the loss of lament.
Many talk about “passing”, frightened about using anything associated with “death”, which I believe is not healthy.
People need to lament, i.e. grieve, but often are not encouraged to do so, which has major consequences in the journey ahead.
What would you say to someone who has never heard of Cruse Scotland before?
I would say how important it is, especially when and where people struggle with the loss of a loved one. The support Cruse Scotland gives is so very helpful.
How has grief shown up for you—physically, emotionally, in your daily life?
Having conducted upwards of 1500 funerals, I see grief manifesting itself in different ways, in different people – no one’s journey is the same as the other and depends on everything from the kind of relationship that they have had through to the manner/nature of the death.
My mother died in January, and it demonstrated to me how different it is to lose your mum.
I would encourage people to consider counselling, which I have done many times before.
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