In 2010, at just 22 years old, Londoner Will Castle lost his father, Paul, to suicide. The aftermath was a blur of grief, financial chaos, and a crushing silence. For years, Will buried the pain, trying to move on. But grief doesn't vanish, it waits.
A decade later, during the 2020 lockdown, Will grew a moustache for Movember, an annual event in November to raise awareness of Men's Health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men's suicide.. That small act led him to share his story publicly for the first time. The response was overwhelming. He became Movember’s top UK fundraiser that year, raising over £16,000, and later became an ambassador, eventually raising more than £25,000 for suicide prevention causes.
But Will wanted to do more than raise money. He wanted to change the conversation around suicide bereavement. So he turned to film.
Heirlooms: A Short Film with a Long Reach
Partnering with director Luke Brookner and co-writers Alex Horlock and Eytan Smith, Will created Heirlooms, a seven-minute short film exploring the generational impact of suicide. The film stars Harry Cadby and follows a man grappling with the legacy of his father's suicide, illustrating how grief can resurface during life's milestones, becoming a parent, attending a football match, or other shared experiences.
The film was produced in collaboration with Suicide&Co, a UK charity supporting those bereaved by suicide. It premiered on February 12, 2025, at The Curzon cinema in Soho, London. West Ham United FC shared the film across their social media platforms, helping it reach over a million views. Heirlooms was also recognised as The Drum’s “Ad of the Day” on February 13, 2025.
A Call to Action: Break the Silence
Heirlooms is a call to break the silence surrounding suicide bereavement. In the UK, over 800,000 people are newly bereaved by suicide each year. Research shows that around 10% of individuals bereaved by suicide will attempt to take their own lives, and more than one in three will experience suicidal thoughts.
By sharing his story and creating Heirlooms, Will aims to provide hope and encourage those struggling with suicide loss to seek support. As he says, "If I can save one life with the work I do, it will make it all worthwhile."
» EXPLORE MORE: PepTalk's Mental Health Speakers.
Watch and Support
Heirlooms reminds us that while grief may be an unwanted inheritance, support and understanding can help us carry it.
- You can watch Heirlooms and learn more about the project on Will Castle's website.
- To support Suicide&Co and their mission, visit their website: www.suicideandco.org
- Or contribute to the fundraising campaign: JustGiving - Heirlooms
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please reach out. In the UK, you can contact Samaritans at 116 123. In the US, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
