THE tragic suicide of a Llanrhaeadr man has spurred his sister to take on a charity fundraising challenge in his memory.
Tory Furbur grew up in the Oswestry area with her big brother, Giles, but as they grew older, Tory - who now lives in North Yorkshire, says she and her brother lost touch.
In August last year, however, the family was united in grief when they found out that paramedic Giles, at the age of 43, had taken his own life.
“It was just a huge shock,” said Tory.
“Somebody once said to me that when people take their own lives it’s like a bomb going off.
“There’s been no long illness, no operations, no car crash and no explanation.
“There are so many unanswered questions,” she said.
In the wake of Giles’ death, mother-of-two Tory, 34, is hoping to make something positive out of the family’s loss by undertaking a triathlon to raise money for the Wales Air Ambulance, who Giles worked for, and MIND - the mental health charity.
Tory, who is a keen runner when she has time out from looking after her two boys and her part-time job, will be taking part in the Skipton Triathlon on April 18 along with her husband, Gavin, also from Oswestry.
The runner was chosen to be a part of an elite group of runners known as Team Freebird after they heard her story.
Freebird Events, specialise in some of the largest pool-based triathlons in England.
Tory thinks Giles would be proud to see her taking part, she explained: “I hope he would be really pleased. He always kept his zany sense of humour and sense of fun.”
As well as money, Tory also hopes to raise awareness of the mental health charity’s cause.
“I feel very strongly about this, its something which is massively overlooked.”
Tory added: “I’m incredibly proud of Giles, as his sister and in terms of his works and the other things he did.”
Tory is sure that people in the area will remember both herself and her popular brother and will want to sponsor her for the triathlon, which is one of five triathlon events she would like to compete in.
If anyone wants to sponsor Tory, they should visit http://www.justgiving.com/Victoria-Furbur-