News: North East PhD Student Turns Tragic Loss Into Positive Action

James McLeod, a PhD student from Gateshead, is channelling his grief into action and encouraging people to open up about their mental health with a gruelling challenge and charity event taking place next month.

Community is a crucial aspect of coping with loss, and for James, so is finding ways to encourage tough conversations to prevent similar tragedies from occurring – which is precisely what he’s done after sadly losing his Dad, James McLeod Sr., to suicide in November 2025, at just 52 years old.

In memory of his Dad, McLeod decided to set himself the challenge of running 52 miles a week for the entire year, with all fundraising going to the If U Care Share Foundation, a North East based charity that supports families affected by suicide.

But that’s not all, McLeod has even took it upon himself to organise a charity football match dubbed the “Jimmy McLeod Memorial Cup” on Sunday 6 September at New Ferens Park, Durham, where McLeod FC will play Men Together Durham C.I.C. The match is also being supported by The Mental Shift C.I.C, who utilise sport to improve the health and wellbeing of young men.

“Losing my dad to suicide completely changed my life, and this challenge gives me a way to turn that loss into something positive. For me, it’s about keeping Dad’s memory alive while raising awareness of men’s mental health and encouraging people to speak up before they reach crisis point. If what I’m doing helps even one person start a conversation or reach out for support, then every mile will have been worth it.”

Most importantly, McLeod stresses that he wants to encourage others to speak up about their mental health: “For me, it’s about turning an incredibly difficult loss into something positive whilst keeping my dad’s memory alive, raising vital funds for a charity close to my family’s heart and most importantly awareness about men’s mental health and suicide prevention.”

If you’d like to donate directly to James McLeod’s fundraising efforts you can do so here, with all funds going directly to If U Care Share Foundation.