Three dads thank supporters who helped them raise more than £700,000 for suicide prevention charity
Video report by Claire Hannah.
Three fathers who are raising awareness of suicide have thanked supporters who helped them raise more than 700 thousand pounds for charity after completing a 300-mile journey in memory of their daughters.
Mike Palmer from Greater Manchester, Tim Owen from Norfolk and Andy Airey from Cumbria all lost their teenager daughters after they took their own lives.
The fathers walked between their homes, starting at Andy's house in Morland in Cumbria, then to Sale in Greater Manchester, and finished in Norfolk at the weekend.
Three dads cross the finish line after walking 300 miles for suicide prevention charity
The walk was in memory of 18-year-old Emily Owen and 17-year-old Beth Palmer, who both died in March 2020, and Sophie Airey who died just before Christmas in 2018.
The three dads had initially set out to raise three thousand pounds each for suicide prevention charity Papyrus, but their story captured the hearts of the nation and they have now raised more than 700 thousand pounds, with donations continuing to pour in.
Their challenge also caught the attention of celebrities, including James Bond star Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman who both donated 10 thousand pounds.
Nicole Kidman donates £10,000 to '3 Dads Walking' to raise awareness of suicide prevention
The actress said she was "profoundly moved" by the "Three Dads Walking".
Three Dads Walking: Daniel Craig donates £10,000 to suicide awareness walk
Mike Palmer, from Manchester, lost his 17-year-old daughter Beth to suicide last year at the beginning of lockdown. He said ''thank you to everyone who has donated and supported us. ''
The challenge is as much about raising awareness as raising money.
Mike now wants to see Papyrus signposted in GP surgeries, schools and colleges.
Speaking to Granada Reports ahead of completing the challenge Mike said:
"Three Dads Walking is not a club I want to belong to, but along with Andy and Tim it gives us, as fathers, an opportunity to fight back and maybe make a difference.
“We are all too aware that there are more young people out there falling into despair and see no way out other than to end their own precious lives.
“We hope that by linking our three homes and telling our three daughters’ very different stories we will put a spotlight on young mental health and ultimately the brutal effects of suicide”
Three Dads Walking: The fathers united by suicide take on challenge to raise awareness
You can find out more about their stories and how to donate on their website here.
Who to contact if you or someone you know needs help:
CALM
CALM, or the Campaign Against Living Miserably, runs a free and confidential helpline and webchat – open from 5pm to midnight every day, for anyone who needs to talk about life’s problems.
It also supports those bereaved by suicide, through the Support After Suicide Partnership (SASP).
Phone their helpline: 0800 585858 (Daily, 5pm to midnight)
Mind
Mind is a mental health charity which promotes the views and needs of people with mental health issues.
It provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem, and campaigns to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
Phone Infoline on 0300 123 3393
Email info@mind.org.uk
PAPYRUS
For practical, confidential suicide prevention help and advice you can contact PAPYRUS HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141, text 07860 039967 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org
Suicide is the biggest killer of young people in the UK. PAPYRUS aims to reduce the number of young people who take their own lives by breaking down the stigma around suicide and equipping people with the skills to recognise and respond to suicidal behaviour.
HOPELINEUK is the charity’s confidential helpline service providing practical advice and support to young people with thoughts of suicide and anyone concerned about a young person who may have thoughts of suicide.
HOPELINEUK is staffed by trained professionals, offering a telephone, text and email service.
Samaritans
Samaritans is an organisation offering confidential support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair.
Phone 116 123 (a free 24 hour helpline)
Email: jo@samaritans.org
YoungMinds
YoungMinds is a resource with information on child and adolescent mental health, but also offers services for parents and professionals.
It is the UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people's mental health, and wants to make sure all young people can get the mental health support they need, when they need it
YoungMinds Textline - Text YM to 85258
Phone Parents' helpline 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 4pm)