Ruby O’Neill running half marathon in honour of best mate Abraham Knox

Belmont’s Ruby O’Neill lost her best friend to suicide during high school. Now, the 17-year-old is on a mission to end the stigma around mental health in honour of her mate.

Ruby O'Neill lost her best friend Abrahom Knox in May 2020 to suicide. Picture: Alison Wynd

Belmont’s Ruby O’Neill has experienced the heartbreak of losing a loved one to suicide first-hand.

In 2020, when she was 14-years-old, she lost her best friend, Abraham Knox, 15.

“Abe was one in a million, he was the most beautiful young boy,” the now-17-year-old said.

“I went to primary school with him and we grew up together.”

Ms O’Neill said Mr Knox’s smile “lit up a room”.

“When you gave him a hug, you could feel the love in it,” she said.

Ms O’Neill said losing her friend at such a young age was “a lot to process”.

“I don’t want anyone to experience the grief of losing someone,” she said.

Ruby O'Neill with her friend Abraham Knox.

Ms O’Neill, who graduated from Sacred Heart College last month, said she was now experiencing milestones in life without her best friend.

“We just graduated and I thought ‘he should be here’,” she said.

“You go through all of these life events wishing he was here as well.”

According to the Coroners Court of Victoria, there were 570 suspected suicides between January to September this year.

In March this year, Ms O’Neill completed the Great Aussie Hike, a team walking challenge which raised money for Beyond Blue.

But after completing the hike, she wanted to do more to help make a difference to those battling mental health challenges.

On Christmas Day, Ms O’Neill will run a half marathon along the Barwon River to help break down mental health stigma and raise funds for Lifeline.

“Realistically, it’s only 21km,” she said.

“If that’s hard, then imagine what people are going through who suffer in silence with their mental health.”

Ruby O'Neill is running a half marathon on Christmas Day to raise money for Lifeline, after she lost her best friend Abrahom Knox in May 2020 to suicide. Picture: Alison Wynd

She has chosen to run on December 25 in support of those who feel lonely during the festive season.

“Everyone thinks Christmas is the happiest day of the year, you wake up and open presents,” Ms O’Neill said.

“But for so many people, it’s one of the loneliest days.”

Ms O’Neill’s dad, Kerry O’Neill, said he was “so proud” of his daughter for raising awareness for mental health.

“Since losing Abe, she hasn’t been the same,” he said.

“My heart broke seeing my daughter in immense grief.

“Since then, Ruby has always done as much as she can for mental health awareness, it’s like a fire burning inside of her.”

Ms O’Neill said she wasn’t an avid runner but had been training for the challenge.

She has already raised more than $2200 for Lifeline.

To donate, head to fundraise.lifeline.org.au/fundraisers/rubyoneil.

If you need help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Originally published as Ruby O’Neill running half marathon in honour of best mate Abraham Knox