The Three Dads Walking take on new challenge for PAPYRUS

Known as The Three Dads Walking, Andy Airey, Mike Palmer, and Tim Owen have already raised more than £1 million for PAPYRUS, Prevention of Young Suicide, which is based in Warrington town centre.

They have become national heroes for raising awareness and helping to save young lives.

The trio completed their first challenge in 2021 by walking 300 miles.

A year later they doubled that distance by trekking 600-miles, walking between the parliaments of all four nations from Northern Ireland through Scotland, Wales and England.    

Now they plan to trek a further 500 miles in April and May of this year, covering new ground by walking from Scotland through the eastern counties of England.

Mike's daughter Beth Palmer (Image: Supplied)

On route they will visit some of the newly opened, or soon to open, PAPYRUS offices and hubs in Stirling, Newcastle, Leeds, Hull and Norwich. 

Andy, from Cumbria, who lost his 29-year-old daughter Sophie to suicide in 2018, said: “This walk is about refocussing our fundraising efforts to help PAPYRUS achieve its goals and extend the lifesaving work the charity does.

“Along the way we will talk to loads of people, some of whom will be new to the charity, we will raise funds to help PAPYRUS open more offices, train more people and ultimately stop preventable suicides. Together we can save lives.”

In 2022, The Three Dads Walking attracted more than 100,000 signatures for an online petition petition to have suicide prevention included on the school curriculum, prompting a debate in the House of Commons.

Shortly afterwards the dads received a national Pride of Britain Award. 

Tim's daughter Emily (Image: Supplied)

Ged Flynn, chief executive of PAPYRUS, said: “The 3 Dads Walking have already captured the nation’s hearts, after all what could be more important than the wellbeing of our children and saving young lives?

“Andy, Mike and Tim are ordinary dads who will be continuing their extraordinary mission to raise awareness and spread hope, helping to start vital conversations about suicide that too many families feel unable or unwilling to have.

“In their efforts to raise much-needed funds for our charity, the dads have already enabled us to grow and 2024 will see PAPYRUS further extend its work into the heart of many communities across the 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

For more details about the 3 Dads Walking and their 2024 challenge visit: www.3dadswalking.uk

Andy's daughter Sophie (Image: Submitted)