A COUPLE from Lower Walton have headed out on an epic challenge to help a charity which battles to raise awareness of the number of young people in the UK who take their own lives.

Jean and Steve Bennett have started the long walk along the ancient pilgrim route which beings at St Jean Pied de Port in the French Pyrenees and ends in Santiago de Compostella in Northern Spain.

Since her highly talented daughter Elayne killed herself Jean has volunteered with Warrington-based national charity PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide, helping to raise awareness of the help the charity provides to young people who are not coping with life.

Jean said: “PAPYRUS is a marvellous charity, which urgently needs support to continue its helpline and young people outreach services.

” We hope people will support our journey with donations, to help ensure that other families do not endure the same devastation through losing a young person through suicide.

“We are aware it is an arduous and very long trek. We are carrying our stuff on our backs in a rucksack and staying at pilgrim hostels along the way. The official time takes between 28 and 32 days but both at 60-plus years, we are giving ourselves longer, although expect to be walking at least 13 miles a day.”

The couple are aiming to reach their final destination in Santiago by October 11.

Ged Flynn, chief executive of PAPYRUS added: “Jean is a valued volunteer, helping our charity: this is an amazing fundraising effort from Jean and Steve and we wish them well. Suicide need not be the inevitable result of feeling suicidal, but in the UK it remains the highest cause of death in young people – both male and female – under 35 years.

"We need to talk about it to raise awareness, reduce the stigma and help attract the resources we need to encourage more young people to seek help before it is too late.”

To donate to Jean and Steve's charity effort visit justgiving.com/jeanandstevebennett/.