JAMES BOND BOOSTS DADS’ TRAGIC CHARITY WALK
Actor Daniel Craig has donated £10,000 to three dads who have just begun a heartbreaking charity walk.
The James Bond star’s generosity has boosted fundraising in memory of their three young daughters who each took their own lives.
Today the 3 Dads Walking set off on a 300-mile trek to raise awareness of the suicide prevention charity PAPYRUS and help spare other families from the agony of losing a child.
Andy Airey from Cumbria, Mike Palmer from Greater Manchester and Tim Owen from Norfolk say the donation from Daniel Craig was a welcome surprise.
“As dads we have three different stories to tell but each has the same tragic ending, the devastating loss of a daughter to suicide.
“Daniel Craig has clearly been moved by the indescribable pain we and our families are suffering and wants to help us to bring something positive out of the utter devastation of losing a child to suicide.
“We’d like to say a big thank you to Daniel and every single person who has supported us so far. We can’t thank you enough and every penny we raise on every step of our journey will help to save young people who are struggling with life,” said Andy whose 29-year-old daughter Sophie took her own life in 2018.
From Cumbria the three dads will head south, walking through South Lakeland and Lancashire to Mike Palmer’s home in Greater Manchester. Mike lost his 17-year-old daughter Beth to suicide in March 2020.
“3 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,” said Mike.
After leaving Greater Manchester the 3 Dads Walking will head south east through Cheshire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire before arriving at Tim’s family home in King’s Lynn.
“I strongly believe that in a moment of darkness my daughter made a wrong decision. Two minutes earlier or later it would have been different.
“Had she just taken time to think or to speak to someone, her decision and my family’s lives would be on another path. Instead she decided she could no longer go on, leaving behind a devastating ripple effect on her family and friends.
“She just had no idea how many lives she touched and continues to impact,” said Tim whose 19-year-old daughter Emily was lost to suicide in March 2020.
Averaging 20 miles a day 3 Dads Walking aim to complete their challenge in 15 days, finishing their journey on Saturday 23 October.
Every step of the way they will be remembering their daughters and supporting the work of PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide; promoting the charity’s belief that many young suicides can be prevented.
Ged Flynn, Chief Executive of PAPYRUS, says the walk will be a life-saver.
“Andy, Mike and Tim were leading different lives in different parts of the country and would probably never have met had they not been brought together by the tragedy and trauma of suicide which has shattered their lives and the lives of those around them.
“As 3 Dads Walking they will be able to channel their energy and focus on what they can do to help save young lives.
“It is remarkable that these proud fathers, who are each trying to deal with their own grief in their own way, have found a positive path forward together.”
Their website: https://www.3dadswalking.uk/ contains moving tributes to their daughters, details of the route, a list of generous supporters and how to donate via their JustGiving page.
The website also allows users to track the walk live, courtesy of www.opentracking.co.uk.
For practical, confidential suicide prevention help and advice please contact PAPYRUS HOPELINE247 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.
HOPELINE247 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.
HOPELINE247 is staffed by trained professionals, offering a telephone, text and email service.
For practical, confidential suicide prevention help and advice please contact PAPYRUS HOPELINE247 on 0800 068 4141, text 07860 039967 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org
