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WELLINGTON:<\/strong> A local family is raising awareness about mental health and the impacts suicide have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Bishop family\u2014Wayne and daughter Kaitlyn\u2014were at the Wellington Vendor Market recently selling shirts and hoodies that have Wayne\u2019s Hot Rods & Customs emblazoned on them to raise money towards a tribute car\u2014a 1970 Plymouth Cuda Pro Touring Car\u2014they\u2019re building in memory of Chris Bishop, Wayne\u2019s son, and Kaitlyn\u2019s brother.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At the market, Kaitlyn was assisted by Councillor Cathy Deagle Gammon in the selling of the product. Recently, Deagle Gammon and Councillor Tim Outhit from Bedford pledged their support to the Bishop\u2019s and the wonderful cause they\u2019re taking on in honour of Chris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [adrotate banner=”31″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n [adrotate banner=”127″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tragically, Christopher took his life last year at the age of 19.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWhat we\u2019re doing right now is basically anything we sell that money goes into the car for us to buy the next part or just to get that tiny item that we might need,\u201d said Kaitlyn. \u201cWe\u2019re at the point now where all of our savings is gone, and this is where we\u2019re at.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The plan is to showcase this unique vehicle at all major car shows throughout Canada and the United States once complete, all the while sharing their story and sparking discussions with others on this very challenging, important topic surrounding mental health and suicide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When Chris had passed away he had already purchased a rear end; rims and tires; engines; and transmission for the Cuda, a car he absolutely loved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI looked at dad and said we had to finish it,\u201d she said. \u201cThat\u2019s when we started to figure the plans and the idea. It went bigger then we thought with raising awareness of mental health. We want people to talk until we cannot drive this car anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n [adrotate group=”7″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n [adrotate banner=”34″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kaitlyn said it\u2019s surprising how many people are affected by mental health and suicide in their community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBetween everyone we\u2019ve talked to I think one in every second person has a story to tell us, which is quite amazing and quite sad as well,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She said there are days that are emotional rollercoasters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSome days you love working on it, and then some days you don\u2019t, and you have to step away from it,\u201d said Kaitlyn. \u201cThat\u2019s the other thing is that the car is helping us get through what happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n [adrotate banner=”123″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n [adrotate banner=”92″]<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kaitlyn said the family expects the car to be completed in the next couple of years, driving on the road ready to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n She wanted to thank everyone for the support they have received.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cIf everyone can just continue to share and make people aware that we need to talk, that mental health affects us all,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n