‘He’s making a change, I’m doing it in his name’

The devoted sister of the late Eden Heaslip has been nominated for one of Ireland’s Volunteer of the Year awards, writes Michelle Taite.

Chloe Heaslip was nominated in the Campaigning and Activism category for her work in the name of her brother Eden, who took his own life in September 2021.

“Somebody nominated me and told my story of what I’ve been doing in the past year since my brother Eden’s death,” says Chloe.

Over 500 volunteers were nominated for the award. They were then whittled down to 33 before the three finalists were announced.

“I wasn’t expecting it at all, it’s nice to get recognised but it’s more for Eden and for ‘Be Buddies Not Bullies’, that’s the main reason I’m doing this. It’s keeping me going and it’s keeping my family going. We’re making a difference.”

Chloe says the aware is not about her but raising awareness. “It’s just really to make sure Eden isn’t forgotten about and never will be forgotten about and it will just bring more awareness up and down the country as well.”

When Chloe 18-year-old brother Eden took his own life after years of bullying, she was motivated, despite her grief, to prevent another family from experiencing the same pain.

Together with her brother and parents, Chloe set up the ‘Be Buddies Not Bullies’ anti-bullying campaign.

She works tirelessly to raise awareness for anti-bullying and campaigns for anti bullying legislation.

“My brother Eden passed away as a result of bullying. He was my youngest brother. To lose him was such a shock,” says Chloe, sadness ringing through her words.

“We told our story and we wanted to try to make it not happen to anyone else and for it to be talked about.”

The family are now on a mission to prevent all forms of bullying in any way they can.

“I think bullying, whether it be in schools or workplaces or anywhere, is hidden under the carpet and it’s said - ‘no, it doesn’t happen here’. Well it does. Everyone has been affected in some way by bullying whether it’s online, in person, at work, anything at all. It’s just to get people talking more, that’s why we decided as a family to get talking and to be more aware and to not forget Eden’s name and who he was.”

While the ‘Be Buddies Not Bullies’ campaign has been difficult for Chloe and her family, they take solace knowing that Eden’s death could have a positive effect on other families.

“It is difficult but it’s keeping me motivated and to know that there’s people all across the world that have car ‘Be Buddies’ stickers who have been texting me to say that they’ve told Eden’s story or shown his story in school. I got a message from Australia, a woman showed the documentary to her school. He’s making a change, I’m doing it in his name and that’s what’s keeping us going. I miss him so much.”

The young Crosskeys woman has met with many Senators, TDs, Ministers, and An Taoiseach in an effort to highlight the need for a greater focus on anti-bullying education and measures in schools.

“I was invited up to the Aviva stadium for the launch of the new action plan of bullying in schools at the end of December. I’ll be going up and getting the feedback of what they’ve researched and what they’re going to be recommending to the Department of Education.”

The young woman also has big plans for the ‘Be Buddies Not Bullies’ campaign in the form of a new hotline for young people who are experiencing bullying, as well as a programme for schools to help combat the issue.

“The next step would be to get that phone line set up. It’s a little bit more complicated but we’d rather take our time doing it rather than rush it and get it wrong. So we are taking steps towards creating it.”

Ultimately Chloe and her family want young people to realise that “actions and words do have consequences and it might affect somebody else differently to what you expected”.

The Volunteer Ireland Awards will take place in the Carlton Hotel in Blanchardstown on Friday December 2, when the winner will be announced.

“He was just so nice to everybody. It just shows that bullying can affect and will affect people. Just be kind.”