It's always the ones, said Coldstream's Brooke Toop, you don't expect because they hide things so well.
Brooke's younger brother Randall could be the life of the room, and you'd never know a dark secret was lurking.
Randall knew how much Brooke, oldest sister Blaire, and mom and dad, Dean and Nadine, loved him. His family knew how much Randall loved them.
He was funny. Always had the brightest smile. When he entered a room, said Brooke, "the room would change. Everyone was happy." He brought so much joy to so many. Always the comedian at the ready with jokes and banter.
Randall, who turned 23 on May 30, 2024, was just a kind, kind person who struggled with depression. It was a battle, Brooke said, her younger brother seemed to be winning.
Until one day in August.
"He was supposed to start nursing school," said Brooke. "He had passed all of his courses. He got into golf. He was doing really, really well.
"Then, he just had a bad day."
On Aug. 20, 2024, Randall Toop lost his life to mental health.
To honour and remember their brother, Brooke and Blaire are co-hosting the Randall Toop Memorial Fundraiser on Saturday, May 31 ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½“ a day after what would have been Randall's 24th birthday ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½“ at Crossfit Vernon.
The event is open to everyone. You don't have to be a crossfit athlete to take part. You also don't have to take part. Head to the gym and support the athletes. Mom and dad Toop will be manning the barbecue.
All proceeds go toward , an organization devoted to men's mental health.
And while Randall wasn't into crossfit, Brooke is. It helps her with her ongoing grieving.
"Our goal for the fundraiser is to raise awareness for men who are silently struggling with their mental health," she said. "We want to create a space where men feel empowered to reach out, seek help, and know that support is accessible...
"We share Randall's story to remind others that even those who appear to be okay may be fighting battles we cannot see."
will host a HYROX-like event as the fundraiser for menÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™s mental health in memory of Randall Toop.
You can take part individually ($40 entry fee) or as a team of two ($50). Heats of six participants will start every 15 minutes with kick off at 9 a.m.
The HYROX-like workout will consist of:
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ 1 kilometre run;
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ 50 burpee box jumps;
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ 1 km run;
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ 50-metre sled drag;
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ 1 km run;
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ 100m weighted lunge;
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ 1 km run;
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ 1,000m row;
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ 1 km run;
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ 200m plate carry;
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ 1 km run;
ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½¢ 100 wallballs.
Registration for the event can be done , or by emailing , or .
"Anyone can do it. You donÎÚÑ»´«Ã½™t have to be a cross fitter," said Brooke. "You can even just come down and watch and cheer on the participants. Come to the barbecue. Come out any way you can."
The sisters plan to make this event an annual occurrence.
"I love talking about him, and even though we're not counsellors, we'll sit and talk with people," said Brooke. "No family should ever have to go through this. We will do whatever we can. We're not going to stop. We're going to continue to raise awareness about men's mental health."