A North-West based suicide prevention charity is launching a national fundraising challenge to help protect its lifesaving round-the-clock services.
Throughout the month of April, PAPYRUS hopes as many people as possible will sign-up to walk, run, cycle, swim, row – or come up with their own ideas – to cover a distance linked to 247km.
Vicki Dutton, the charity’s Fundraising Manager said:- “That could involve covering 2 kilometres a day, 24 kms a week or 247 kms over the whole month of April, either by conventional means or by doing something a bit different. Our PAPYRUS fundraisers never cease to amaze us with their energy, imagination and resourcefulness and we know they’ll rise to this new challenge and put everything into it.”
PAPYRUS, which has its head office in Warrington, says rising costs and unprecedented financial pressures means extra funding is urgently needed. Money raised will support the charity’s “darkest hours” emergency appeal to help it continue running it’s HOPELINE247 service through the night.
To register for the 247km challenge click here.
Vicki Dutton added:- “As the days continue to lengthen and the flowers begin to bloom, people want to get out there and enjoy the fresh air and get some exercise, so why not combine that with a challenge which will help to save young lives. We will do everything we can to continue staffing our HOPELINE247 service during the night, when children and young people are struggling through their darkest hours, but we can only do that with the incredible generosity of the public. Quite simply, donations and fundraising underpin everything we do.”
Each participant who takes part in the challenge needs to have a fundraising target of £247 or as much as they can raise. They will receive a free PAPYRUS t-shirt when they complete their registration and set up their JustGiving page. They will then get a free water bottle when they hit the halfway mark of their target.
In January PAPYRUS launched the first emergency appeal in its 28-year-history, blaming rising costs and falling donations across the charity sector. The target is to raise £440,000.
The charity’s Chief Executive, Ged Flynn, said:- “Nothing is more important in life than keeping our children and young people safe. We are here every minute of every hour, 365 days of the year, giving hope to those who are struggling with thoughts of suicide. Regrettably, an unforeseen reduction in the voluntary revenue we receive means we are now facing real challenges in the way we deliver our vital services.”
PAPYRUS says the situation has become critical because it is receiving a record number of contacts. Every week the charity receives hundreds of calls either from young people themselves or from someone who is concerned about a young person.
Since its HOPELINE247 service went round-the-clock in the summer of 2023, the charity has seen an 86% increase in the number of contacts received via text and emails. Last year there was a 66% increase in those reaching out via its webchat service.
HOPELINE247 is staffed by professionally trained, paid Suicide Prevention Advisors.
Ged Flynn says he makes no apology for appealing directly to the public for help:- “No child or young person deserves to be alone with thoughts of suicide. Our work shines a ray of hope into the darkness. Suicides devastate families and friendships, shatter schools and shake the very foundations of our local communities. Every life lost is a tragic waste and yet we believe many young suicides can be prevented. Everyone has a role to play and with your generosity PAPYRUS will be able to continue our work, which is far from done. Suicide rates remain stubbornly high and somehow we must overcome the obstacles we face, find the money we need and help our children and young people to choose life.”
To donate to the PAPYRUS emergency appeal visit this link.
