Dan Chesters, in whose name this Doing It for Dan YOU & YOURS C2C Walk is being organised, was there at the start of the OUTing the Past Festival, from the very first pilot of the project in 2013 hosted by Lancashire Archives in Preston. Steadfastly supporting and encouraging Jeff, his husband and founder of OUTing the Past Festival of LGBT+ History. Dan threw himself into the project from that first Preston Project (filming presentations), and then every year up to and including the OUTing the Past Festival Conference at Liverpool John Moores University in March 2018, the last OTP event before his tragic death a few months later. OTP is honoured and delighted to support this Doing It for Dan YOU & YOURS C2C Walk to raise funds and awareness of mental ill-health and thereby further celebrate the life of this steadfast supporter, wonderful teacher, sports enthusiast. MCFC supporter, film maker, devoted friend and loving husband. The OPT Festival Team
Can you Help? I’m walking the Wainwright’s 190-mile-long Coast to Coast Walk for several reasons and inviting your kind support.
Dan, my best friend and husband was an extraordinary mix of boundless life affirming encouragement of others while often being secretly plagued by his own painfully critical thoughts and low self-esteem.
However, the last years of his life the critical thoughts increasingly took centre stage. Dan was also hindered by the widespread dangerous taboo that sees mental ill-health not as the serious common condition it is but instead as shameful personal weakness to be suffered in silence. When Dan finally did seek help, he was tragically failed by local NHS Mental Health Services.
Then on a warm summer afternoon after years of bravely struggling with these torments Dan tragically took his life, he was 44 years old. However, is his life not its end is what defines Dan. His legacy of a lifetime of gifting and care of others always accompanied with that beautiful infectious smiley face. It was my life’s privilege to share his journey for over twenty years.
Dan has an infectious love of sport that also helped assuage joyless thoughts. This small project is another celebration of Dan’s life adding further to his legacy. IF this 190-mile walk/slog across Northern England raises funds and awareness and thereby helps alleviate a little of the current rationed or untreated mental ill-health in our midst it will have been well worth it. Many thanks for reading,
Jeff, Dan’s Husband
Do it for Dan JustGiving Page
Many thanks to: Lee Glover and Cllr L. Igbon for all the technical ideas & support, Liam for the logo design and everyone else who have and will made this project possible.