Post by admin on May 10, 2007 2:19:24 GMT 1
A PIONEERING bullying helpline has been launched as the lasting legacy of victims’ champion Tim Field.
The 53-year-old, who died from cancer in January 2006, selflessly dedicated the last decade of his life to helping thousands of people who suffered at the hands of bullies.
And his family, from Hollin Way, Rawtenstall, are dedicated to keeping his vision alive through the new National Bullying Helpline.
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Tim was honoured as high-profile guests from big business, the national media, and the government – including Valley MP Janet Anderson – packed into the House of Commons last Wednesday for the charity’s launch.
It is the country’s first dedicated helpline for those suffering at the hands of workplace bullies – built on the foundations of Tim’s groundbreaking work.
He ran an unofficial helpline and a website from home, wrote self-help books, represented numerous victims of workplace bullying at industrial tribunals, and travelled the world as an anti-bullying consultant.
His former wife Susan was at Westminster with children Michael, 17, and 13-year-old Fiona.
She said: ‘Tim was a victim of workplace bullying himself and, after his experience, he wanted to help others, so he started an unofficial helpline at home before writing his book. He helped countless people – we’ve lost track of the number of people who have been in contact, saying that he basically saved their lives.
‘It was almost like the Samaritans, in the sense that people had someone to talk to who had been through it himself, but he also gave practical advice. There was nowhere for people to go before that.’
The former computer programmer left work in 1994 – but rather than retire to the golf course, he opted to spend his time changing the lives of fellow sufferers.
Working alone from home, Tim dealt with more than 9,000 calls between 1996 and 2004, as well as countless emails received after the launch of his website www.bullyonline.org in 1998.
Susan added: ‘He did it on his own and it just grew and grew; so many people were affected by him – I don’t think even we appreciate how many.’
It was a couple Tim helped, Swindon-based Christine and David Platt, who became the driving force in setting up the helpline in his memory.
Susan said: ‘It is what he always wanted, to get an official registered charity up and running.
‘Christine and David went through what they needed to do with him and she gave her word that she would do it.
‘What became clear at Westminster was that, although he was the founding leader, we have got to take this on as a family.’
And the family is clearly dedicated to keeping his dream alive.
Michael already deals with the sales of his father’s books and he and Fiona will both become trustees when they turn 18.
Towards the end of his life, Tim, who was originally from Eastbourne, received care at Rossendale and Pendleside hospices; people travelled from across Britain as he was cremated at Burnley and his ashes laid near Dunnockshaw Reservoir.
The National Bullying Helpine received an incredible 800 enquiries in its first week.
Anyone needing help should call 0845 2255787.
George Oliver
First published by the Rossendale Free Press
The 53-year-old, who died from cancer in January 2006, selflessly dedicated the last decade of his life to helping thousands of people who suffered at the hands of bullies.
And his family, from Hollin Way, Rawtenstall, are dedicated to keeping his vision alive through the new National Bullying Helpline.
Advertisement
Tim was honoured as high-profile guests from big business, the national media, and the government – including Valley MP Janet Anderson – packed into the House of Commons last Wednesday for the charity’s launch.
It is the country’s first dedicated helpline for those suffering at the hands of workplace bullies – built on the foundations of Tim’s groundbreaking work.
He ran an unofficial helpline and a website from home, wrote self-help books, represented numerous victims of workplace bullying at industrial tribunals, and travelled the world as an anti-bullying consultant.
His former wife Susan was at Westminster with children Michael, 17, and 13-year-old Fiona.
She said: ‘Tim was a victim of workplace bullying himself and, after his experience, he wanted to help others, so he started an unofficial helpline at home before writing his book. He helped countless people – we’ve lost track of the number of people who have been in contact, saying that he basically saved their lives.
‘It was almost like the Samaritans, in the sense that people had someone to talk to who had been through it himself, but he also gave practical advice. There was nowhere for people to go before that.’
The former computer programmer left work in 1994 – but rather than retire to the golf course, he opted to spend his time changing the lives of fellow sufferers.
Working alone from home, Tim dealt with more than 9,000 calls between 1996 and 2004, as well as countless emails received after the launch of his website www.bullyonline.org in 1998.
Susan added: ‘He did it on his own and it just grew and grew; so many people were affected by him – I don’t think even we appreciate how many.’
It was a couple Tim helped, Swindon-based Christine and David Platt, who became the driving force in setting up the helpline in his memory.
Susan said: ‘It is what he always wanted, to get an official registered charity up and running.
‘Christine and David went through what they needed to do with him and she gave her word that she would do it.
‘What became clear at Westminster was that, although he was the founding leader, we have got to take this on as a family.’
And the family is clearly dedicated to keeping his dream alive.
Michael already deals with the sales of his father’s books and he and Fiona will both become trustees when they turn 18.
Towards the end of his life, Tim, who was originally from Eastbourne, received care at Rossendale and Pendleside hospices; people travelled from across Britain as he was cremated at Burnley and his ashes laid near Dunnockshaw Reservoir.
The National Bullying Helpine received an incredible 800 enquiries in its first week.
Anyone needing help should call 0845 2255787.
George Oliver
First published by the Rossendale Free Press