Christopher was a born engineer and a true petrolhead. He grew up in the passenger seat of his dad’s cars, starting with a 996 GT3, passed his driving test with zero faults, and was about to start a dream motorsport apprenticeship with Tuthill Porsche. He was even mastering the art of Man Maths to justify buying an E61 M5.
But Christopher also battled depression and anxiety. Those struggles overwhelmed him, and tragically his life ended far too soon last June aged just 20.
Suicide remains the leading cause of death for under-35s in the UK, and autistic males are nine times more likely to take their own lives. With NHS mental health waiting lists currently stretching into years, charities like Papyrus UK are providing a lifesaving lifeline to young people in crisis.
To honour Christopher’s memory, his parents Andrew and Gilly (both longstanding PHers) have organised a month-long online auction, running from June 1 to 30. The automotive and sporting worlds have stepped up massively, offering an incredible selection of lots, including:
- F1 team factory tours
- Porsche driving experiences
- Goodwood Festival of Speed tickets
- A professional photoshoot with top UK automotive photographer, GF Williams
- Pete Tong DJ School sessions, signed football shirts, and much more.
Whether you want to secure a dream experience or simply support a vital cause, click the link here to view the lots, register, and place your bids. Or you can simply donate directly to Papyrus here (please remember to complete the “is there a reason for your donation” field with “Christopher D”).
Where to go for help
The Health Matters forum on PistonHeads can be an incredibly supportive environment where people are often happy to lend an ear and offer friendly reassurance. But of course for professional advice, you should always speak to your GP or other qualified medical specialists.
If you or someone you know is struggling, confidential support is available 24/7:
- PAPYRUS Hopeline 24/7: Call 0300 102 2470 | Text HOPE to 88247 | Email pat@papyrus-uk.org
- Samaritans: Call 116 123
- NHS 111: Call 111
- Shout Crisis Text Line: Text SHOUT to 85258
- CALM (5pm–midnight): Call 0800 58 58 58
Porsche 911 photo credit: George Williams
1 / 2
![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 4 3"%3E%3C/svg%3E)
![](data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 1 1"%3E%3C/svg%3E)