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Grieving families unite to walk 26 miles together

Nikki Mitchell
Home Affairs Correspondent, BBC South•@BBCNikkiM
Family photos Photos of three boys who died in different circumstances and all went to Sholing Junior School. On the left is 7 year old CJ Fenna, smiling, with short brown hair, wearing a yellow football t shirt and holding a trophy. In the middle is 17 year old Vlad Nikolin-Caisley, who has long dark curly hair, is smiling and wearing a dark t shirt On the right is 14 year old Mario Fassoli, smiling, with short brown hair and wearing a white t shirt.Family photos
CJ Fenna, seven, Vlad Nikolin-Caisley, 17, and Mario Fassoli, 14, all went to Sholing Junior School and died recently

It was a "hike in times of hopelessness" so three families could help each other "find a way forward, one step at a time".

The families of CJ Fenna, Vlad Nikolin-Caisley and Mario Fassoli have walked 26 miles from Portsmouth along the coast to Southampton.

The boys died at different times, in different circumstances and were all pupils at Sholing Junior School, Southampton.

Vlad's sister, Masha Nikolin-Caisley, described walking and talking together as "empowering" and said: "It's inspiring. It really puts your faith back in humanity after something so awful has happened."

A group of around a dozen walkers are heading up a slope holding a blue banner with three yellow stars and the names CJ, Mario and Vlad. The sun is shining and there is a shingle beach and the sea in the background.
The 26-mile long walk along the south coast took more than 10 hours

Vlad was 17 when he suffered an excruciating death in May last year, after getting drawn into a pro-suicide community online and swallowing poison.

His family has since set up a community organisation, called VLAD Outreach CIC, which the walk raised money for.

Vlad's mum Anna said it was a legacy for Vlad.

"We have more than 100 volunteer psychologists, counsellors and peer mentors who provide mental health support for people who slip through the system and struggle to get help," she said.

Previous walks raised funds for charities nominated by Mario and CJ's parents.

'Emotional'

CJ Fenna was in Year 3 at Sholing Junior School when he died in April 2024 from a rare brain cancer.

Chris Fenna, CJ's dad, said: "You've got to raise awareness of these things. We've done the walk twice before and it's always emotional."

Johanna Lamb, CJ's mum, described him as a "loving, caring boy" who adored football and added: "He would have loved to have been part of this."

Five relatives of Mario Fassoli - three women and two men - look into the camera after completing the walk.
Mario Fassoli's family at the end of the walk in Guildhall Square. From left to right: Christiano, Jo, Marcello, Anna-Maria and Jessica

Mario Fassoli's mum, Jo, who could not do the whole walk this time, said her son loved gaming with his friends.

"It's really good, everybody all joining in and talking together," she added.

Mario was 14 when, to Jo's horror, she found him dead in his bedroom in July 2023, from a suspected seizure.

The teenager's older brother, Christiano, who hiked the full marathon distance described Mario's death as "completely unexpected".

He said "getting out for the day" and "chatting about him" to friends and his old teachers had felt "really good".

About 80 walkers are pictured standing in front of Southampton Cenotaph in the city centre. They are wearing comfortable hiking clothes and smiling and waving to the camera. A blue banner inscribed with the names CJ, Mario and Vlad is being held by their families.
By the time the walkers reached the Cenotaph in Southampton City Centre, the group had grown substantially after people joined along the route

Richard Hutchinson, one of the organisers from Sholing Junior School, said: "We thought it made a lovely idea to get all the families together, so they can connect."

"I think they get a great deal of comfort from it."

He added that being on your feet for ten-and-a-half hours was a "tough challenge" but everyone "powered through" and he could not be more "proud" of them.

Vlad's family, Mia, Masha, Anna & Graham at his graveside in Southampton which is covered in tributes and marked by a home made wooden cross with his name on
Vlad's older sisters, Mia and Masha, with parents Anna and Graham, at his graveside in Southampton

At the end of the walk Vlad's Dad, Graham, said his feet were incredibly sore, but he thought Vlad would have been impressed that he had walked all 26 miles and would be glad his family were trying to help others.

Vlad's mum added that is was "really great" to be giving something to the community because "the community is here for us in our time of need".

Killed By The Internet - a documentary telling the chilling story of Vlad's suicide - is available to watch on BBC iPlayer by clicking on the link below.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this story, information and support can be found at the BBC's Action Line.

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