My story

Like many people I know someone who took his own life – in the early hours of the morning. HOPELINE247, PAPYRUS’s suicide prevention helpline, needs to run through the night to help people like him.

For the first time in their 28-year history, PAPYRUS is launching an emergency appeal to keep HOPELINE247 running through the night. Without urgent support, they may have to make the devastating decision to cut back their services.

Every three minutes, a young person in distress reaches out to HOPELINE247, PAPYRUS' suicide prevention helpline. These calls, texts, and messages come during their darkest hours—often in the middle of the night, when other services aren’t available to them.

Since extending HOPELINE247 to operate 24/7 last year, demand has surged. In 2024 alone, PAPYRUS had 12,000 life-saving interactions during the night and saw a 66% increase in the number of young people seeking help through the webchat service. HOPELINE247 is vital and life saving but rising costs and a sharp drop in donations across the charity sector have brought them to a critical moment and I want to help.

My challenge - to move towards HOPE

To walk or cycle a total of 247km during the month of April 2025. This is a big increase on my normal levels of activity (some local walking and cycling less than once a week).

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At the start of the challenge I planned to walk 24 km and cycle 7 km each week. Twenty four(24) seven(7).

However its going so well I've moved the goalposts!

‘Move Towards HOPE’ is a great title for a challenge both for the young people contacting HOPELINE247 and those of us taking part. Getting out in the open air and physical activity lifts my spirits.

Together let’s keep HOPELINE247 running through the night, every night – so fewer young people die by suicide and many more move towards better mental health.

Please donate to support PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide.

Thank you