My name is Esther Amaning, my daughter Vicky Amaning; also known as
Kordou Jallow took her own life with my two-grandsons aged 14 and 5 on the 6th
March 2021. She was 34 years old.

Vicky was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in January 2020, and she
battled with her mental health and the crippling nature of the disease. She was
constantly tired but could not sleep for much of the time. She would be up reading
or writing for most of the night when she couldn’t sleep, and she found comfort
particularly in scripture. I remember she described her life as just “pain” and she
felt like her life was worsening all the time with no hope of improvement.
As many during the time of Covid, she couldn’t go the gym or swimming or just
be around people as much as she would have done pre Covid. Having two autistic
sons, the isolation and lack of support proved more than she could bear. She had
lost all hope in her life but even in her darkest times, did not want to be a burden to
others. Sadly, Vicky felt she had no other option.

My daughter was depressed and often rang the Samaritans for support, now when
I remember how sad and down she was, I wish I had supported her more. She was
loved by so many but always put on a brave face, putting others before herself and
always saying she was ‘fine’ or not too bad”. We simply did not realise the depths
of her despair.

My Vicky wrote a beautiful children’s book called The Little Red fox goes
walkabout, largely based on her oldest son, Ezra, who was an inquisitive and
fearless young man. As her MS progressed, Vicky found it harder and harder to
physically write or type or cook or clean or exercise and she was robbed of being able
to do something which had previously brought her so much joy.

It’s our aim to have this book in every primary school and library in the boroughs
of Bexley, Lewisham, and the Royal Borough of Greenwich in remembrance of
these three beautiful, lovely people.

Thank you for your support

Esther