A MOTHER who set up a suicide prevention charity after her son took his own life said the “time is right” to take a step back as she focuses on writing a book.
Ann Feloy, from Worthing, started her charity called Olly’s Future after her son, Oliver Hare, killed himself on February 14, 2017.
But she has now decided the time is right to focus on other projects, after running the charity on a voluntary basis for the last five years.
Olly, a graduate from University College London, took his own life just two days before his 23rd birthday.
He came back from teaching English in Shanghai but his family said he seemed to go “suddenly in reverse”.
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Olly, from Worthing, saw a doctor in early January 2017 and said he was feeling anxious, depressed, lost and unsure about the future. He saw another doctor who prescribed him with an antidepressant over the phone. Four days later on Valentine’s Day, Olly took his own life.
Ann will continue as chair of the charity but has stepped back from the day-to-day running so she can “write a book based on Oliver’s incredible travel journals” and look after her grandson.
Emma Baars will be starting as charity’s first ever paid chief executive officer.
Emma has over 14 years’ experience working in the voluntary sector and in senior leadership roles for charities.
Ann said she is “delighted” to be handing the reins over to Emma.
She said: “Through Olly’s Future, we have created the most positive legacy and ‘future’ for my son from out of the most dreadful tragedy. The time is now right for me to let others take up the reins.
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“She is joining a wonderful team of staff and freelancers, delivering our pioneering programmes such as Practise Hope, working with GP practices to help children and young people who may be self-harming or thinking of suicide, and Dr SAMS (Suicide Awareness in Medical Students).
“I know Oliver and Emma would have got on like a house on fire and she is going to fit in perfectly with all of Oliver’s friends who make up the steering board. She has all the dynamism and energy we need.
"With less of my time spent running the charity, I can turn my hand to a long-awaited desire to write a book based on Oliver’s incredible travel journals and looking after my beautiful grandson Magnus.”
Emma Baars said: “It’s a great honour to be appointed CEO at Olly’s Future. I can see the love and light that emanates from Olly's life and the profound impact he had on those who knew him. I recognise that this is the driving force behind the charity's crucial work to prevent suicides of young people, in particular, and increase wellbeing through the arts.
“Olly’s Future has coined the phrase ‘growing at pace with a smile on our face’ and it’s my aim to help this vibrant and dynamic organisation grow sustainably, reaching more and more people with its culture-changing initiatives and training.”
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