THREE dads who are walking hundreds of miles in memory of their young daughters who took their own lives have spoken of their gratitude after James Bond star Daniel Craig donated £10,000 to their cause.
The actor’s generosity has given a huge boost to the trio’s fundraising total, which will support the work and raise awareness of the suicide prevention charity PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide and help spare other families from the agony of losing a child.
On Saturday, the 3 Dads Walking set off from Cumbria on the 300-mile trek.
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,” said Mr Airey, whose 29-year-old daughter Sophie, a former Kirkbie Kendal School pupil, took her own life in 2018.
“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,”
From Cumbria the three dads are heading south, walking through South Lakeland and Lancashire to Mike Palmer’s home in Greater Manchester.
Mr Palmer 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,” he said.
“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.”
After leaving Greater Manchester the 3 Dads Walking will head south east through Cheshire, Staffordshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire before arriving at Mr Owen’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,” said Mr Owen, whose 19-year-old daughter Emily was lost to suicide in March 2020.
“Had she just taken time to think or to speak to someone, her decision and my family’s lives would be on another path.”
Averaging 20 miles a day 3 Dads Walking aim to complete their challenge in 15 days, finishing their journey on Saturday, October 23.
You can follow the dads’ progress on their website www.3dadswalking.uk.
For practical, confidential suicide prevention help and advice contact PAPYRUS HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141, text 07860 039967 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org
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.
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