Philip had left a note on the kitchen table of his family home moments before taking his own life<\/a>. It was an event so unforeseen that it left his grieving family at a complete loss.<\/p>\n Caroline, 53, described Philip as a “really lovable person,” who “never had a bad word to say about anybody.” The family grew up in Stockport, where Philip was the second oldest of four children, with two older sisters, Caroline and Andrea, and his younger brother, Johnny.<\/p>\n The family were stricken by tragedy early when their mother died of breast cancer when Philip was just nine years old. It was an event Caroline believed had disturbed her brother throughout his life.<\/p>\n “It really affected his mental health,” said Caroline. “I think firstly because there was no bereavement support for children. It was in 1989 when she died, so in those days, it wasn’t really spoken about, and it was just brushed under the carpet.<\/p>\n “Not by family, but just in general. There was no help for anybody, I don’t think.”<\/p>\n Aged 16 and the oldest of the children when her mum died, Caroline described taking on the role of mum, helping look after her family while her dad was at work.<\/p>\n While at school, Philip met Lucy. They would go on to get married and have three children together \u2013 Jessica, 23, Emily, 22, and 19-year-old Callum.<\/p>\n Yet despite the happiness of family life, he suffered repeated episodes of poor mental health made worse by his struggles with alcohol.<\/p>\n “I think he carried a lot of pain and anxiety in silence,” said Caroline.<\/p>\n “We used to say to him, ‘Oh, how are you doing? Are you okay?” And he’d be like, ‘Oh, yeah, yeah, I’m fine.’<\/p>\n “He always just wanted to please anybody. He didn’t want to be a burden to anybody at all.”<\/p>\n Caroline said there were several occasions over the years when Philip had attempted to end his own life. There were also calmer periods of sobriety following stints in rehab, but he would soon relapse and drink again.<\/p>\n “One time I just said to him, ‘Look, if you don’t stop, then you’re not going to have a family because we can’t keep living like we’re living,'” said Caroline.<\/p>\n ‘I think it was his way of saying bye to everybody’<\/p>\n It all came to a head in December 2015 when Caroline said she issued an ultimatum to her brother \u2013 stop drinking or risk losing your family. Caroline’s words hit hard and Philip stayed sober for the next nine years.<\/p>\n Although abstaining from alcohol, Caroline said Philip continued to struggle with anxiety and would only go to places where he felt comfortable, such as visiting his brother’s and sisters’ houses.<\/p>\n (left to right) Caroline Tiplady’s brother Johnny, her sister Andrea, Caroline and her late brother, Philip<\/p>\n So it came as a surprise in August last year, when Philip made an appearance at a family wedding in Northern Ireland.<\/p>\n “He was on great form,” said Caroline. “But now, looking back at the pictures that were taken of him with my son and my other son and other family members \u2013 I think it was his way of saying bye to everybody.<\/p>\n “He knew as a family we would all be there together and that would be his last time of seeing us all together.”<\/p>\n Just two months later, Philip took his own life. Despite his struggles with his mental health and alcohol, Caroline said the news still came as the most terrible shock.<\/p>\n Dad of three, Johnny de Mouilpied from Stockport died in October 2025 after years struggling with his mental health(Image: Courtesy of the de Mouilpied family)<\/p>\n A few months after Philip’s funeral, Caroline and her younger brother Johnny decided to set up a foundation in memory of their brother.<\/p>\n Having been involved with various charities over the years, they came up with the idea of transforming household bins into “micro-billboards” for spreading a positive message.<\/p>\n They set up the Bin Silence foundation to raise funds for mental health charities. The stickers they sell not only raise money but also serve as reminders for neighbours and friends to check in on one another.<\/p>\n Bin Silence stickers with Philip’s outline at the bottom<\/p>\n The design of the sticker, which includes the outlined figure of Philip, “represents everyone who has felt empty, lost, or alone,” Caroline said.<\/p>\n She added: “We thought it was a great way of getting people to talk and binning the silence.”<\/p>\n ‘We will grieve him forever’ Caroline wearing a Bin Silence t-shirt<\/p>\n Soon after the stickers were created, Caroline said they were inundated with people wanting to buy them. It was then that they decided to launch a website, with the short-term aim of selling 100,000 stickers, which would raise a million pounds for the nominated charities.<\/p>\n So far, the stickers have been bought from people living the length and breadth of the UK, from Cornwall to the Shetland Islands.<\/p>\n Despite their terrible loss, Caroline sees the Bin Silence foundation as a ‘beacon of hope’ and believes Philip would be proud of its positive impact.<\/p>\n “We\u2019re not people to sit around and mope and not do anything,” said Caroline. “We’re a family who just gets on with things.<\/p>\n “That’s not to say we’re not saying we’re not grieving him, we’ll grieve him forever. But we feel like something good has come out of our grief.”<\/p>\n Bin Silence stickers<\/p>\n Caroline added that, as well as raising money for mental health charities, the stickers are a way to start a conversation, so people aren’t left “fighting the same invisible battles” in silence, as her brother did.<\/p>\n Caroline added: “You wouldn’t have ever known meeting Philip that he had problems. And there must be so many people masking what they’re going through.”<\/p>\n You can find out more about the Bin Silence Foundation here.<\/a><\/p>\n Helplines and websites<\/p>\n Samaritans (116 123)<\/strong> samaritans.org<\/strong> operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you\u2019re feeling, or if you\u2019re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org<\/a> , write to Freepost RSRB-KKBY-CYJK, PO Box 9090, STIRLING, FK8 2SA and visit www.samaritans.org\/branches to find your nearest branch.<\/p>\n For support for people<\/strong> feeling suicidal, if you are concerned about someone or if you are bereaved by suicide see http:\/\/shiningalightonsuicide.org.uk<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n CALM (0800 58 58 58) thecalmzone.net<\/strong> has a helpline is for men who are down or have hit a wall for any reason, who need to talk or find information and support. They’re open 5pm to midnight, 365 days a year.<\/p>\n Greater Manchester Bereavement Service<\/strong> Greater Manchester Bereavement Service can help to find support for anyone in Greater Manchester that has been bereaved or affected by a death. No one needs to feel alone as they deal with their grief. www.greater-manchester-bereavement-service.org.uk<\/a><\/p>\n Childline (0800 1111 )<\/strong> runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number won\u2019t show up on your phone bill.<\/p>\n PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41)<\/strong> is a voluntary organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.<\/p>\n Beat Eating Disorders: <\/strong>Beat provides helplines for adults and young people offering support and information about eating disorders. These helplines are free to call from all phones. Adult Helpline: 0808 801 0677, Studentline: 0808 801 0811, Youthline: 0808 801 0711. www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk<\/a><\/p>\n Anorexia & Bulimia Care: <\/strong>ABC provide on-going care, emotional support and practical guidance for anyone affected by eating disorders, those struggling personally and parents, families and friends. Helpline: 03000 11 12 13. www.anorexiabulimiacare.org.uk\/<\/a><\/p>\n Students Against Depression<\/strong> is a website for students who are depressed, have a low mood or are having suicidal thoughts. Bullying UK is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying studentsagainstdepression.org<\/a><\/p>\n![\"(left](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_JS404627837.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Dad](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/2_JS404627820.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Bin](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_JS404627804.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Caroline](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_JS404627816.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Bin](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/0_JS404627830.jpg\")
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