These three fathers are devastated after losing their daughters to suicide. Today, they’re on an epic mission to raise further awareness and funds for a charity helpline through their #ItAintWeakToSpeak campaign. The Four Dads Walking The original trio of fathers who walked to raise awareness about violence—Mr. Airey of Morland, Cumbria. It includes testimony from Mr. Palmer of Sale, Greater Manchester and Mr. Owen of Shouldham, Norfolk. Their daughters—Sophie, Beth, and Emily—act as the driving force behind their uphill climb.
On June 14, the trio will attempt to hike more than 130 miles around the stunning coast of Anglesey in Wales. This effort is a tribute to their daughters. It helps to raise vital funds for Papyrus, a charity that supports young people and prevents young suicides. The dads have previously raised more than £1 million for the suicide prevention charity Papyrus. This remarkable grassroots initiative has further grown its award-winning services, including making the Hopeline a 24/7 support line.
Mr Airey highlighted the importance of the helpline in saving lives. He stated, “That one phone call can save someone’s life.” His commitment to the cause is unwavering. He added, “We’ll get there because we won’t give up. We’ll keep doing what we’re doing and we aren’t going to go away.”
The need for such services remains pressing. Since Papyrus launched just over a year ago, it has had over 12,000 conversations. These were at very late-night hours, between midnight and nine AM. This shocking statistic highlights the crisis-level need for help that people in crisis are signaling.
Continue the fundraising Ged Flynn, CEO of Papyrus, stressed the need for ongoing fundraising. He remarked, “We are doing everything we can to protect our services, but we need help to be able to do so.” Flynn’s statement underscores the heavy toll that charities are still paying to keep crucial lifelines intact for those who need it most.
Three Dads Walking is preparing for a long and challenging walk. Their hope is to encourage everyone to begin having conversations, breaking the stigma around mental health and suicide prevention. Yet their journey is an ongoing example of resilience and hope, rising from the ashes of unimaginable grief.
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