Xani cycles 3,500 miles of UK Coast in memory of his sister
Xani, 34, lost his sister Alice to suicide in January 2022. Over the years, they had talked about the idea of Alice joining Xani on the back of a tandem bicycle to build her confidence cycling around Edinburgh. “We never made time for it. Now it’s too late, and it’s one of my biggest regrets,” says Xani.
“Since Alice’s death, I’ve learned an enormous amount from others who have lost someone to suicide. On this tandem ride (88 days and about 3500 miles around the coast of mainland UK), I’ll be joined, each day, by a different person who has been affected by suicide.
“I want to listen to them, learn from them and share their stories. People who’ve lost someone to suicide have important things to say, and we should all listen because suicidal thoughts and feelings can happen to anyone. You never think this kind of thing will happen to you until it does.”
With this challenge, Xani is hoping to raise money and awareness for two charities doing important work to stop and support those affected by suicide, including SOBS (Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide) and Papyrus UK (Prevention of Young Suicide) and to date, has raised almost £24.5k via his JustGiving fundraising page.
“I have attended the SOBS (Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide) groups for almost a year. I’ve learned a tremendous amount from everyone who attends – people from all walks of life who have lost someone to suicide.
“In my view, only people who’ve had this devastating experience can really understand what it feels like, and SOBS gives free, monthly, face-to-face support all over the UK.
People travel great distances to attend our local group. Those that have lost someone to suicide are at greater risk of suicide themselves. The SOBS groups are lifesavers. There needs to be more of them, and the volunteers need support and training.
Papyrus campaign train people and do everything they can to prevent youth suicide. If more people accessed their training, we would surely have a public that’s better equipped to talk to and support those with suicidal thoughts.”
Xani, now on day 58, started his cycle on 29th May 2023 from Portobello and is no stranger to cycling long distances.
“I was an Edinburgh Rickshaw driver for five years, so I’m used to pedalling people up steep hills! Also, a very long time ago now, a friend and I cycled from Edinburgh to Istanbul – before Google Maps!
“When people found out how far we were going, they opened their doors and supported us. I’ve already found the same generosity with this cycle.”
Set to complete his 88-day cycle on Wednesday, 23rd August, Xani reflects, “So, this isn’t a ride with Alice, but it is a ride for Alice and for everyone who struggles with suicidal thoughts.”
You can see Xani’s full Tandem Against Suicide route here.