Family and friends of tragic Thomas Brookes have adopted an elephant mascot to encourage people to talk about mental health

Family and friends of a Sunderland teenager have adopted an unusual mascot to help them raise awareness about mental health.
A picture of Thomas Brookes when he was younger.A picture of Thomas Brookes when he was younger.
A picture of Thomas Brookes when he was younger.

The friends and family of tragic Thomas Brookes who died suddenly at the home last year have adopted an unusual mascot to help them to raise awareness of mental health issues.

The 16-year-old was found dead in the home he shared with mum Helen Wardropper in Grangetown, on Saturday, September 28.

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Now what was once the Southmoor Academy pupil’s boxing and muay thai training dummy has been transformed into a mascot for mental health.

Thomas Brookes. Bob the elephant in the room.Thomas Brookes. Bob the elephant in the room.
Thomas Brookes. Bob the elephant in the room.

The dummy, which is called Bob, wears an elephant mask and Thomas’ SAFC shirt and Thomas’ mum hoped will encourage people to talk about ‘the elephant in the room’ that is mental health problems.

Helen said: “When Thomas passed, I was looking at Bob in my house, thinking he's the elephant in the room… literally.

“Talking about mental health is the elephant in the room. And when he is taken places people to ask why an elephant is there and it gets people talking.”

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The mascot was first unveiled at a memorial football match the Tom Brookes Cup 2020, at the Beacon of Light, on Sunday, March 1 and more than £1,300 was raised at the event.

Friends at the fundraiser event with Helen WardropperFriends at the fundraiser event with Helen Wardropper
Friends at the fundraiser event with Helen Wardropper

Thomas’ devoted mum said: “Throughout my immense pain of losing my precious boy, I hoped that any memorial held would be that of a positive one, to raise mental health awareness, and to help others. Thomas was devastatingly only 16 years old.

“The event really brought people together. Sunderland AFC's Branch Liaison Council, Washington Mind, Community Hub and If U Care Share all attended.”

And on Saturday, for Sunderland’s home game against Gillingham, Bob the elephant was taken to the Branch Liaison Council before being brought into the Stadium of Light to accompany Thomas’s friends for the second half.

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There is now talk of Bob going on a stadium tour to raise further awareness.

The £1,390 raised at the memorial cup has now been donated to Sunderland AFC's Branch Liaison Council, Washington Mind, Community Hub, If U Care Share and Foundation of Light.