Firstly, Happy New Year. Typically this is the time for recovering from the over indulgence of the festive period, of setting goals or resolutions for the coming year and of choosing to spend our monthly alcohol allowance on over priced gym memberships. Swapping one brand of consumerism for another.

Until recently I was a fairly staunch supporter of this continual flow of disposable income into the economy. What I have come to realise these last couple of years, or perhaps what I have come to appreciate is just how lucky I am to be able to do that. Throughout my life I have been surrounded by an amazing support network who have allowed me to grow, helped to pick me up when I have fallen, loved me even when I have made mistakes that have left others hurting. There’s no escaping the fact that I have led a privileged life. Although I have faced some very lonely times, felt the shame and guilt associated with some of the ill thought out decisions of a growing adult, considered on more than one occasion taking my own life, I have always had someone to turn to if I have needed help or advice. This help, this love from friends and family, these stern words have been invaluable. This is the privilege that I have known.

In writing as candidly as I have the past couple of years, I have become acutely aware of the vast number of people who slip through the net. People who are for one reason or another left without a support network, a hand to catch them when they fall, a loving hug when the mountains seem too big to climb. Some are lucky, some find help again. Many unfortunately do not. For some turning to alcohol or drugs perpetuates a life of crime and homelessness. For others they cannot communicate their problems easily and they remain just out of reach until sadly, they choose an all too familiar and tragic way out.

It is a sad indictment of society that by now few people will not have been touched in some way by the tragedy of suicide. CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) estimate that in the UK around 125 people per week die taking their own life, of which 75% are male.

With this in mind, as my way of slowly starting to give back a little in order to help those who have been and continue to be less fortunate than many of us, I have decided to auction one of my framed prints with 100% of the proceeds going to CALM. The print I have chosen has been integral to my Weathering the Storm series of blog posts. Taken one evening as I was about to enter one of the tougher parts of the last couple of years, I looked over to the Chamonix Aiguilles from a friend’s house and watched as the storm cleared.

Although at the time it was just nice to see the clouds part and the snow plastered mountains come back into view, it has since become much more of a symbol of endurance. A gentle reminder, should I need one, that the storm clouds will pass and there will be people waiting when they do.

CALM’s work is so important, a voice at the end of the phone in an hour of desperation, a shoulder for those affected by suicide, campaigns to help change the conversations and remove the stigma associated with mental health issues. They give a public face to the fight against suicide, a presence at universities, pubs, music events and prisons. They’re responsible for the appointment for the first ever Minister for Suicide Prevention.

AUCTION RULES:

TIME & LOCATION:

Instagram @owen_tomkins_photography

Saturday 15th January 10am GMT - Saturday 15th January 9pm GMT

CURRENCY & METHOD OF PAYMENT:

All bids are reflected in GBP. If there is a winner from outside the UK, the winning bid will be converted at the market exchange rate and invoiced in the winning bidder’s currency.

OPENING BID: 

£20

MINIMUM BID INCREMENT:

£2

CLOSE OF AUCTION:

Bidding closes Saturday (Jan 15th) at 9:00 PM GMT and will roll over till the last bid stands for 5 minutes.

BID SUBMISSION:

You MUST submit your bid via a comment on the post only. All new bids must be via a new comment and not in reply to an old bid comment. Bids or requests via DM, story reply or email will be ignored.

SHIPPING & PAYMENT DEADLINES:

The winner will have 24 hours to remit full payment. Failure of full payment results in the image going to the next highest bidder.

The winning bid will be inclusive of shipping within mainland UK. Outside of mainland UK, the winner will pay for shipping minus a £10 contribution