'We know more precious young lives can and must be saved'

Wales Online

22-06-2025

'We know more precious young lives can and must be saved'
Three fathers who have endured the 'indescribable' loss of their daughters to suicide have been trekking for eight days to raise founds for a charity determined to save young lives
Left to right: Sophie Airey, Beth Palmer, Emily Owen
(Image: Papyrus )
Three fathers who lost their daughters to suicide have walked 130 miles around a Welsh island in their memory.
Mike Palmer from north Wales, Andy Airey from Cumbria and Tim Owen from Norfolk spent eight days trekking the Anglesey coastal path to raise funds for the Papyrus Prevention of Young Suicide charity, which has warned it might have to cut back on its Hopeline247 service, a helpline which is available through the night for children and young people experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Mr Palmer, whose 17-year-old daughter Beth took her own life in 2020, said: 'In rural areas mental health services and suicide prevention support is in limited supply. That means in communities like the Hopeline247 may be the only thing that can help to keep young people safe from suicide, particularly in the darkest hours in the middle of the night when other services are not available to them.'
Andy Airey, who lost his 29-year-old daughter Sophie to suicide in 2018, said: 'Hopeline247 is now under threat and, as dads who have suffered the indescribable loss of a child to suicide, we are determined to do what we can to maintain this life-saving service round-the-clock.'
Tim Owen, Mike Palmer and Andy Airey finish their Anglesey coastal path walk
Tim Owen's 19-year-old daughter Emily died by suicide in 2020. He said the Anglesey fundraiser — the fourth charity walk completed by the three dads — was "born from the belief that children and young people should not be alone with thoughts of suicide".
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He added: "We know more precious young lives can and must be saved. Progress is being made but the fact is we hear of more tragic stories nearly every week.
'Smashing the stigma around mental health and suicide is our goal. With every step we'll remember our girls and this gives us the courage to keep going and make a difference.'
The dads are confident they have reached their latest target of £30,000, having already raised around £1.5million for Papyrus with their earlier '3 Dads Walking' efforts, which saw them honoured with MBEs in the King's Birthday Honours List.
In one fundraiser they walked 600 miles, passing the parliaments of Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and England.
Ged Flynn, the charity's chief executive, said funding is urgently needed to maintain the helpline round the clock. 'We'd like to say a huge thank you to Andy, Mike and Tim who didn't hesitate when they realised Papyrus was struggling financially," he added.
"Like many charities, we have seen a significant decline in donations since the cost of living crisis started to impact on the voluntary income we receive. At the same time, we have seen an increase in demand for our professional services.
'Since our Hopeline247 service went round the clock in the summer of 2023, we have seen an 86% increase in the number of contacts we received via text and emails. Last year there was a 66% increase in those reaching out via our webchat service. We are doing everything we can to protect our services, but we need help to be able to do so.'
The three dads, who all live in rural parts of the UK, also used their Anglesey trek to highlight how people living in remote areas can feel isolated.
To donate to the PAPYRUS emergency appeal, go here. You can see more details about the 3 Dads Walking campaign here.
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For practical, confidential suicide prevention help and advice, you can call Papyrus on 0800 068 4141, text 88247 or email [e-mail]