In July 2023, I received some of the worst news that I could have ever expected. Pete, my nephew, had attempted to take his own life, and despite the efforts of the amazing staff at Bristol’s Southmead hospital, he never recovered.

I’ll never know the pain and anguish he struggled with, but I know the huge gap that’s been left in the hearts and lives of everyone who was lucky enough to know him and I want to do everything that I can to prevent another son or daughter going through the same struggle and to stop another family from experiencing the same sadness that all Pete’s friends and family are left with.

To help to raise funds for PAPYRUS, so that they can keep up their amazing work in saving young lives, I’m asking for your support. Having taken a break from all forms of exercise for far too long, I warmed up with the ABP Newport half marathon in March, the Milton Keynes half marathon in May and the Royal Leamington Spa half marathon in June and will hopefully be joined by some of Pete’s friends and family to take on the Cardiff half marathon on 6th October 2024. It may be over twenty years since I’ve moved away, but Cardiff will always be home for my family and me and it’s right that this fundraising effort finishes there.

Your support means so much to me and the whole of the Sangster family and will help keep PAPYRUS services running, offering a lifeline to young people at risk of suicide and creating suicide-safer communities across the UK.

£5 can help pay for one contact to the suicide prevention helpline, HOPELINE247.

£65 can keep the suicide prevention helpline running for over one hour.

£165 covers the cost of training someone in ASIST, a two day course that prepares caregivers to provide suicide first aid interventions.

Thank you

PAPYRUS is the national Charity for the Prevention of Young Suicide.

Suicide is the biggest killer of young people under the age of 35 in the UK, every year over 1800 young people took their own lives. PAPYRUS provides confidential support and advice to young people struggling with thoughts of suicide, and anyone worried about a young person through their helpline, HOPELINE247.

Every £5 raised can contribute towards a life-saving contact to HOPELINE247. Your donations really are lifesaving, thank you.