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In Honour of B-Side Ben

By Katie Lamb Join Me

Help me reach my goal of £1,000

Intro to Rethink Mental Illness

Rethink Mental Illness is the chosen charity in honour of Ben. Rethink does incredible work in providing support, information, and advocacy for people living with mental illness. By donating, you're helping to ensure that vital services are available to those who need them most.

Thank you in advance for your contributions 💚

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£1,000

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My Updates

Minor Corrections!

Thursday 20th Feb
A year ago today Ben passed his doctoral viva. He was nervous for weeks leading up, convinced that his thesis wasn’t up to scratch and he would fail. I reminded him that it’s unlikely his academic supervisor would allow him to submit his thesis if he didn’t think it was good enough. Still, he went off the morning of his viva convinced he was headed into a lion’s den. A few hours later I got texts from him saying ‘Passed x’ and ‘Unreal’. When he returned, he told me with disbelief that not only had he passed, but had done so with minor corrections. The following week he’d randomly say “Minor corrections!” out loud to himself with a smile and a chuckle, about what he considered to be dumb luck. 

But it wasn’t dumb luck. Ben was incredibly intelligent, passionate, and held himself to an incredibly high standard. He worked hard to complete his doctorate and it didn’t come without its challenges. During a particularly difficult time, he purchased four small Sprite cans that he kept in the fridge and told me, “I’m going to drink one of those cans every time I’m seriously considering giving up on this EngD. When I drink the last one, I will stop working on it.” Those cans came and went but he never drank the last one.

For this post my challenge to you is to be curious and enthusiastic about your passions, as Ben was. His thesis is available to view here:
 
https://cronfa.swansea.ac.uk/Record/cronfa66887/Details 

and an online remembrance book created by his work colleagues is available to view here: 

https://rememberancebook.net/book/dr-benjamin-cummings/ 

B-Side Ben

Friday 14th Feb
Ben loved music. Prince, George Michael, Justin Timberlake, John Mayer, Jamiroquai, David Bowie, Elton John, and Michael Jackson - just to name a few. In addition to their popular work, he liked to listen to their lesser known work, their "b-sides", if you will. Hence one of the nicknames I gave him, B-Side Ben. Aside from obscure tracks, Ben's music taste leaned towards funky beats and unexpected covers. I challenge you to listen to an artist's lesser known work, bop to a funky beat, or look for covers of classics as a nod to Ben's love for music.

I've compiled some of his favourites into a playlist for you to check out here: 

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0JdsDTUgrWalV7gniei1uU?si=9orkOjICTjWDto-7_26epQΠ=Um9KRAibQ--qu  

Thank you to my Sponsors

£212

Sarah J Mulverhill

For 'Ole Benny Boy

£106

Mary Lamb

Thank you for being his one and only.

£65

Anonymous

£53

Nolan Fergusson

£53

James Gleave

£53

Anonymous

£53

Trudy Latour

Your strength, love, and dedication is beyond admirable. I will forever treasure the moments you and Ben shared with our family.

£50

Your Darling Lady Wife

"As painful as this has been, and if the outcome was the same, I'd still choose to meet you, fall in love with you, and build a life with you."

£50

Alison Brown

lots of love to you my sweet friend xx

£50

Maisie Niall

To our bestie Beno.

£50

Ian Walker

£50

Claire Oneill

Huge respect and biggest hugs x

£50

Steven Bishop

Bon courage, Katie!

£42.40

Renata

Sending love

£26.50

A

I’m so sorry for your loss. Thank you for raising awareness for mental health and for sharing your experience. Love, from someone who once contemplated not being here anymore either.

£26.50

Mulverhill Kirk

£26.50

Anonymous

£26.50

Edward Downer

£26.50

David Mathewson

Dear Katie - Words cannot express how sad I was to hear your terrible news. I hope you know many of us are routing for you and thinking of you often. Remember that many family members, friends and colleagues are supporting you and are here to help you if and when you need. Big hug, David

£26.50

Brian Richard

£26.50

Glenn Lyons

Thinking of you Katie and so sorry for the weight you are bearing. The strength you are showing in the face of your loss is an inspiration. Take care. 💙

£26.50

David Murphy

Thoughts are with you. Wish you all the best for your challenge.

£26.50

Elaina

I’m so sorry for your loss, Katie. Thank you for sharing your love for Ben with us even in such a hard time.

£26.50

Anonymous

Thank you for courageous LinkedIn post 🙏

£21.20

Andrew Bradley

Wishing you strength, peace and hope at this difficult time. Andrew

£20

James Dyson

I'm so sorry for your loss, Katie. Wishing you all the best - take it easy and be kind to yourself. You've picked a great charity to support with your fundraising, good luck with the run!

£10.60

Dan Bush

£10.60

Tricia Shaw

So sorry for your loss.

£10.60

Anonymous

Beyond blame is the understanding that not all is able to be understood. The mind can take one down a wrong path - it nearly did for me. The donation is for others; the message for you. Hold on to that courage in all that you do.

£10.60

Roxanne Warrilow

£10.60

Jenny

💙

£10.60

Yvette Sethy

I’m so sorry to hear this news, you are so brave. Sending love and peace to you ,

£10.60

Grace Solsby

You are so strong!

£10.60

Elliot Reid

£10.60

Renee

Thinking of you in this hard time.

£10.60

Natasha Brown

£10.60

Katie Rees

💚💚

£10.60

Charlotte Price

Good luck Katie, Ben would be so proud of all you are doing ❤️ Thinking of you daily, our funny friend Ben, and treasuring the loveliest memories ❤️

£10

Anonymous

Your post took my breath away. 🩹

£10

Tristan Thorn

£10

Anonymous

£10

Sarah Bailey

Thinking of you ❤️ Wishing you all the best for your challenge & raising money for such an important cause xx

£10

Anonymous