1,551km for Hope – In Memory of Vincenzo Lippolis

In August 2025, I’ll be taking on a huge personal challenge: cycling 1,551km — the virtual distance from Land’s End to John o’ Groats — in memory of my younger brother, who took his own life on the 1st November 2021 at just 21 years old. It is still painful everyday in some way.

I’m doing this to raise money and awareness for PAPYRUS, a charity dedicated to preventing young suicide — and I’ve set my fundraising target at £1,551, one pound for every kilometre I’ll ride.

This won’t be easy. I haven’t been on a bike in five years. I’m juggling this challenge around working and raising my children — it’ll mean riding about 30 miles every day throughout August. It's going to be tough, physically and mentally… but nothing compared to the pain of losing someone you love.

Losing my brother left a hole in our family that will never heal. But if this ride helps just one young person find hope, or spares one family from going through the heartbreak we have, then every mile will be worth it.

Please support me if you can — through donations, sharing this page, or simply spreading awareness. Thank you so much for reading, and for standing with me in honour of my brother.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 take 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 £15 raised can contribute towards a life-saving contact to HOPELINE247. Your donations really are changing lives, thank you.