Race Across the World's Kush Burman hopes to help others affected by suicide

Race Across the World star hopes to help others affected by suicide

When Kush Burman won BBC's Race Across the World, he wanted to use his new-found platform to help those who had supported him and his family after his dad took his own life.

Burman opened up about his struggles on the popular BBC show following Matt's suicide during the coronavirus lockdown in 2020.

"I had no clue what was going on when I was 14... I had zero indication," said the 20-year-old from Liverpool.

"So it was such a surprise, but I think going through life now I've always got at the back of my mind, just be nice, because you will never know.... you can't know unless someone directly comes to you."

Burman is now an ambassador for Alfie's Squad - a Liverpool-based charity providing support to children and young people just like him.

Race for a Reason - which is in its second year - aims to raise money and awareness of Alfie's Squad as the teams race to different checkpoints across the UK over the next three days.

Kush said he was honoured to be an ambassador of the charity that provided so much help to him, his mum and brothers.

"It's amazing and so to say that I'm an ambassador it does mean a lot," he said.

Kush said his birth father passed away when he was one to lymphoma so he was raised by his stepdad Matt.

"He took his own life in 2020, I was just 14," he said.

"It was the most difficult thing to have to go through in my entire life."

Alfie's Squad was set up by 17-year-old Alfie and his mum after he lost his dad to suicide when he was just eight.

Support groups take place in Liverpool every week.

Kush said Alfie's Squad was "like a family...it's a whole community".

"I think the most valuable aspect I found is that it's not all about the grief, it's about fun and life".

Alfie is doing the race with the former Liverpool goalkeeper and charity patron Chris Kirkland, who said he struggled in the past with his mental health and "not wanting to be here".

"It makes you realise now, when you see these kids and you see the parents that have lost their partner, that could have been my wife and that could have been my daughter - seeing the impact it has.. the devastation... it's why I wanted to get involved," he said.

Thirty teams will travel 650 miles and finish back in Liverpool on Sunday.

None of the teams know anything about the route or the tasks they will have to complete along it.

Kush said he hoped Race for a Reason would allow Alfie's Squad to support more families like his.

"I guess that's my advice for everyone is just be patient with each other and take into consideration what someone might be going through, even if you can't see it," he said.

If you or someone you know are having feelings of despair or are emotionally distressed, the BBC Action Line has advice and support.

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