Following her brother’s tragic suicide, a West Molesey woman is raising money for The Mental Health Foundation by running the Royal Parks Half Marathon.

Mother-of-three Natalie Rudley, 38, will take part in the race almost 14 years after Philip killed himself after intermittent battles with alcoholism and depression.

She said: “Philip had been to the doctors about his battles with alcoholism, his feelings of depression and how he dealt with things. He was asked to voluntarily section himself. I think this idea scared him as he backtracked and left the doctors with no further recommendations, medication or diagnosis.

“If I’m really honest I don’t think any of us really knew the extent of his mental health issue. We all knew he had a problem with alcohol, he was prone to bouts of maudlin behaviour, his behaviour had caused him to lose jobs and relationships failed, but his suicide was a bolt out of the blue – no prior cries for help, no note explaining why, nothing.”

Since this, Natalie has been determined to keep her brother’s memory alive, despite her own struggles in dealing with his death.

She said: “I talk about him all the time, I ask his friends for stories about him. I keep his picture by the sink so I can see him while I wash up and cook. There has not been a day that has gone past in the last 13 and a half years that I haven’t thought about him or mentioned his name.

“My mum punished herself after Philip died. She did not allow herself chocolate or treats, she felt guilty for being happy, her health has suffered, she’s been on anti-depressants and she has sought comfort in counselling and even visited a spiritualist.

“She’s like me in the sense that she needs to speak about him but for a long time after his death she could not bear to look at photos of him.”

Natalie hopes that running for The Mental Health Foundation will raise awareness as well as the money.

“Suicide is the biggest killer of young men in this country and mental health is being identified at younger ages. It’s being taken more seriously and recognised as an illness by employers and the public but there is still more that can be learnt and more that can be taught,” she said.

Natalie urges people who are experiencing a similar loss to never stop talking about them.

She said: “It’s not something to be ashamed of. I’m not ashamed of my brother; he was the bravest person I know. When I run The Royal Parks Half Marathon I shall be running in his name”