A teacher’s wish to pay tribute to NHS staff who helped her husband in a time of need has led to a legacy of hope and care in his memory.

Louise Tomlinson, a Consett mum-of-two, took on the challenge of the Great North Run (GNR) to highlight the vital work of the mental health crisis service at Lanchester Road Hospital, Durham.

She opted to collect for the crisis service in tribute to the care and support provided by doctors, nurses and other staff when her husband Marc needed help.

Tragically, just weeks after she raised £300 as a thank you to staff, her husband Marc died suddenly of a heart attack whilst on holiday.

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The Northern Echo: Louise at the Great North Run, Louise at the Great North Run, (Image: Louise Tomlinson)

Marc was a valued member of the community, having volunteered at Teesdale and Weardale Search Mountain Rescue for over 14 years, despite struggling with depression. 

Louise said: "Marc suffered from depression for years and, when things reached a critical point in 2021, the crisis team stepped in to help. I will always be grateful for that.

"The staff were amazing and gave him someone to listen to him, someone to help him, someone to support him – which is why I wanted to raise money for the service.

"Up until the day Marc died he was feeling good about his mental health, so much better than before, and we’d had a lovely few days together beforehand. That is something I’ll never forget."

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Despite Louise’s ongoing grief over the loss of Marc, she remained determined to deliver the money raised, and recently visited Lanchester Road to officially hand over the cheque.

The Northern Echo: A passionate outdoorsman, Marc volunteered with the mountain search and rescue service.A passionate outdoorsman, Marc volunteered with the mountain search and rescue service. (Image: Louise Tomlinson)

The funds will help to create well-being packs for staff, meaning it provide an ongoing legacy of hope and care in memory of Marc and the support he received.

Louise said: "Although it has been a tough few months since losing Marc, I really wanted the team to get the funds I had raised for them. 

"I will always be grateful for all that the crisis team did for us, and I would like the wellbeing packs to be a token of that thanks.

“The wellbeing packs will help the memory of Marc, and everything the team did for him, live on.”

Andrea Card, service manager at Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Louise not only helped raise awareness about our mental health services by doing the GNR, but also raised money for the wellbeing packs too - which were very welcome indeed.

"It is a lovely gesture at such a difficult time and really is much appreciated. Marc’s memory will live on through this."

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