In January 2022, I lost one of my oldest and dearest friends, Richard Bignell. Richard lost his own long battle with mental health. He left behind his beautiful family, his wife Anna and their twin girls Maia and Elsie aged 7.
When Richard left us, I made a heavenly promise with him – Anna and the girls would have an open invitation to Devon, so the girls can enjoy the sandy beaches of Woolacombe, learn to surf, play football and cricket on the beach, and eat fish and chips with their fingers. All the things we did together many times, even before children came along.
In May this year (2024), Anna felt she was ready to make the long drive down to us. We had a wonderful few days, and the girls loved running and splashing around in the tidal pools at Woolacombe, making new memories with Rich always in our thoughts.
Cracking Nuts inevitably came up in conversion, and the girls talked about how much Rich liked nuts, they wanted to develop a flavour dedicated to him. The girls had so many amazing ideas, that we have decided to develop not one, but 4 flavours over the next year.
These 4 flavours are going to be part of a box dedicated to Rich we are calling ‘Ramble On’. The name represents Rich’s love of a big walk/ramble, as well as Rich’s love of music with the famous Led Zeppelin song of the same name. Rich was also an amazing wordsmith and we want to encourage people to talk or ‘ramble on’ : )
The first flavour we are launching is a trail mix called ‘The Wanderer’. The name is an obvious nod to Rich’s (and mine) favourite football team, Wycombe Wanderers, but also Rich had a love of hiking, and anyone that has hiked with him would agree, he would treat any hike as a wander.
We worked with Maia and Elsie to create ‘The Wanderer’ it HAD to include ‘Reece’s Pieces’ and ‘Strawberries’. A few of their Daddy’s favourite things! It’s also packed with protein, fibre, a little sugar and a little salt, making it the perfect energy boost if you are going on a ramble, or a tasty treat if you’re watching the football.
- Crowdfunding to support Neuroharmony on JustGiving
- Richard Bignell – rest in peace | News | Official Site | Chelsea Football Club (chelseafc.com)
- Rest in peace, Richard Bignell – Wycombe Wanderers (wwfc.com)
By Jon Webster
#rambleon
#rambleforrich
UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2025
Anna and the girls have been working with Alfie’s Squad. Alfie’s Squad support children, and their families, who have been bereaved by suicide.
Ready to take on Race for a Reason for Alfie’s Squad
Date: 14th November 2025 57 days
Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Who’s up for a challenge?
This November, Alfie’s Squad is looking for 30 teams of 2 to take on a weekend of fun and challenges to help support children and young people who have lost a loved one to suicide.
Inspired by the BBC’s ‘Race Around the World’, our ‘Race for a Reason’ challenge will involve more people, same fun and hopefully less drama!
- 14th – 16th November 2025
- Over 650 miles
- Anfield Stadium to Stamford Bridge… but did you think you’d be given a straight route to take? Think again
Alfie’s Squad is excited to hosting Race for a Reason, a powerful, nationwide challenge to raise awareness of the devastating impact of suicide and fund vital support for children and young people bereaved by it.
Thanks to support from LFC Foundation and Chelsea Foundation, the race begins at Anfield Stadium and ends at Stamford Bridge. Teams must solve clues and complete challenges to reach symbolic checkpoints, each one shining a light on underrepresented aspects of suicide and its ripple effects.
Alfie will be joined by former LFC and England goalkeeper Chris Kirkland and his daughter Lucy in one of our teams.
“I wanted to help other kids like me,” says Alfie, aged 16, who set up Alfie’s Squad after losing his dad. “I’m so proud that this race will show people what we can achieve together.”
Charity