On 26 May 2024 we would have been celebrating Lucas’ 21st birthday with him.

Sadly, in Oct 2021, Lucas found this world too difficult to navigate and died by suicide. He was just 18 years old.

Although our world changed forever that day, we continue to raise awareness of young suicide, the need to keep talking and to promote the charity Papyrus - prevention of young suicide.

We started the ‘3 peaks challenge’ when Lucas was here - he raced to the top of Scafell Pike to finish first, of course. After Covid, we scaled Mount Snowdon. It seems fitting to remember our adventurer scout atop Ben Nevis for his 21st birthday.

Our Ben Nevis team - Mum, Dad, Isaac, Freddie, Joel, Amy, Lucy, Auntie Mo, Uncle David and Cameron x

We are are fundraising for Papyrus - charity for the prevention of young suicide. Suicide remains the biggest killer of young people under 35 in the UK. This is not OK. Every step is a shout out to keep talking about suicide and mental health and know that no young person should ever feel alone. If you are reading this, and you could use some support in this way, please call the Papyrus Hopeline number on 0800 068 041 041.

We are also filling a ‘Jar of Hope’ with memories, messages and sunflowers for Lucas. Please add a message to your donation and we will put it in his jar. You could also message one of us directly, or visit and hand-write your own message if you prefer. The kettle will be on.

If you knew Lucas, you would know that he would always include you in his circle. A social butterfly. Lover of music, rugby, scouting and animals. And food (always food!)

In recognition of how Lucas chose to end his story, please continue to wear something yellow for mental health awareness and keep talking. 

Please donate to the Papyrus charity if you can…

More importantly, please let Lucas’ story be a starting point for a conversation with others. If we can keep the conversations going, that has to be a good thing.

The Lucas Backhouse Walk Talk 4 Us runs monthly at Avenham and Miller Park, Preston (meet at the Continental) at 10am. Join us to break the silence on mental health issues and keep conversations going. (Join the WalkandTalk4Us newsletter mailing on Facebook or see ‘Angela Violet’ for updates). The route is dog and pushchair friendly too.

Lucas’ plaque is installed in the Pegoda / Shelter / Bandstand in Avenham Park. Thank you for visiting. It was his favourite place to meet up with friends and we know many of you still gather here. We hope you will enjoy his memorial - a place for you to simply ‘be’ when you need to ‘be’ with Lucas. Know that this is a safe place to come and recall happy friendship memories.

Lucas will always walk with us. X

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Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.