Story
Why I'm Walking
As a parent of a child who has struggled, and continues to struggle, with their mental health, every day feels like a different landscape to navigate. Some days are gentle strolls in the park; others are daunting, relentless storms that must simply be endured.
I’ve known Debbie and Michael for a number of years, having worked with them on psychological safety training at an organisation I was part of at the time. It was during that period that I first learned about Darcy and the challenges she was facing.
Hearing of Darcy’s suicide was devastating. It had a profound effect on me, not only because of the unimaginable pain I know Debbie and Michael have endured and continue to live with, but also because of the journey I am on with my own child.
When Michael shared the story behind this Sahara challenge, joining them felt like an obvious decision.
Finding people who truly understand and, more importantly, support what families like ours are going through can feel almost impossible. Raising money for the vital work that PAPYRUS does is my way of helping ease the pain and challenges faced by other families whose children are crying out for support.
Walking across the Sahara is not something I ever imagined doing, but if it helps even one young person feel less alone, or one family feel more supported, then every step will be worth it.
“If my steps across the desert help even one young person feel less alone, your donation will have been worth it, helping ensure no one has to walk their hardest moments alone"
My story
In early 2020, my life changed forever.
My daughter, just 13 at the time, told me she was in crisis, struggling with life after being bullied at school. What she shared shocked me to my core. Like any parent, my instinct was to fix it. What I didn’t understand then was that I couldn’t fix it. I could only be there for her.
Since that moment, our lives have been shaped by a good days, bad days, and some incredibly horrible ones. There were moments when fear took over completely, when I found myself begging for help, terrified of losing my daughter, and feeling utterly alone.
Looking back, I only wish we had known about and had access to an organisation like PAPYRUS during those moments of crisis.
That’s why this challenge matters so much to me.
If supporting PAPYRUS through this Sahara trek helps protect even one young life, or gives one family the support we didn’t know how to find at the time, then every hour of training and every step across the desert will be worth it.
Please donate to help young people in crisis
