Gemma Bowen
The Up and Overs
Fundraising for PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide
Story
A year ago the worst thing you could ever imagine happened - I lost my 14 year old son Alfie to suicide.
To mark the first anniversary of Alfie’s death, myself and two dear friends have decided to do the Snowdonia Challenge together, walking 100km over 3 days up and around Snowdonia.
We thought that it will be a good way to spend time together reflecting on Alf’s life and raising money to help support the valuable work that PAPYRUS UK does to prevent young suicides.
Alfie was a keen climber, visiting Boulders in Cardiff regularly and looking for ways to get outdoor practice as well.
He was an adrenalin junkie! The weekend before he took his own life, we both went to Bounce Below, Cavern Below and Velocity Zip Wire in Snowdonia. I was scared witless but Alfie kept me going with many words of encouragement.
Alfie was a talented artist and budding graphic designer. He wanted to study this in college - preferably in America!
Alfie had family in Sheffield and Cardiff - we all love and miss him.
My hope is that by walking 100km between 28 and 30 June 2019, we will be able to raise money and awareness of what PAPYRUS UK does, so that other families and friends won’t have to go through the pain that we’ve all felt.
Suicide is the biggest killer of young people under 35 in the UK. PAPYRUS UK is the national charity for the prevention of young suicide and believes that many young suicides are preventable. They operate HOPELINEUK, a confidential call, text, and email helpline for young people with thoughts of suicide or those concerned about a young person who may have thoughts of suicide.
Every £5 raised can help pay for a potentially life-saving contact to HOPELINEUK from a young person wanting to stay safe from their thoughts of suicide.
Thank you.
To mark the first anniversary of Alfie’s death, myself and two dear friends have decided to do the Snowdonia Challenge together, walking 100km over 3 days up and around Snowdonia.
We thought that it will be a good way to spend time together reflecting on Alf’s life and raising money to help support the valuable work that PAPYRUS UK does to prevent young suicides.
Alfie was a keen climber, visiting Boulders in Cardiff regularly and looking for ways to get outdoor practice as well.
He was an adrenalin junkie! The weekend before he took his own life, we both went to Bounce Below, Cavern Below and Velocity Zip Wire in Snowdonia. I was scared witless but Alfie kept me going with many words of encouragement.
Alfie was a talented artist and budding graphic designer. He wanted to study this in college - preferably in America!
Alfie had family in Sheffield and Cardiff - we all love and miss him.
My hope is that by walking 100km between 28 and 30 June 2019, we will be able to raise money and awareness of what PAPYRUS UK does, so that other families and friends won’t have to go through the pain that we’ve all felt.
Suicide is the biggest killer of young people under 35 in the UK. PAPYRUS UK is the national charity for the prevention of young suicide and believes that many young suicides are preventable. They operate HOPELINEUK, a confidential call, text, and email helpline for young people with thoughts of suicide or those concerned about a young person who may have thoughts of suicide.
Every £5 raised can help pay for a potentially life-saving contact to HOPELINEUK from a young person wanting to stay safe from their thoughts of suicide.
Thank you.