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We are both Participating in the Trekking Challenge to raise funds for PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide to continue the vital work as the UK's life saving organisation into raising awareness and preventing suicide.

Losing my son Stevie from taking his own life in 2004 at the age of 23 has been a difficult journey, I have found comfort with my own personal beliefs. In . 2004 there was little help and guidance in Oxfordshire for suicide deaths and the stigma that surrounds suicide. With the help and guidance that Papyrus can give helps so many young people to understand the thoughts and emotions that will be running through there whole body.

So many pressures in society today have been a contributing factor for the increase in the suicide rate within the UK especially among young males. Sadly, in 2013,  i lost another son Mikey at the age of 34, not through suicide but because of his inability to be able to cope with his brothers' passing and the effects on his health and mental state of dealing with life and the trauma associated with that. Consequently, Mikey turned to alcohol for comfort to block out the pain, which was a contributing factor to his death.

I know that this will be a challenge for myself and AJ to participate in the Trek but the benefits to the charity far outweigh the challenge. At the end of the trek, we are able to place a brick into the Great Wall of China in memory of Stevie and Mikey, the symbolism of this is that they can now move forward on their journey of self discovery, may they R.I.P.

There will be events running throughout the year to raise funds and will keep the justgiving page updated, so please feel free to visit this page for information.

Papyrus exist to reduce the number of young people who take their own lives by shattering the stigma around suicide and equipping young people and their communities with the skills to recognise and respond to suicide behaviour.

Please look at the PAPYRUS website for further information of this valuable cause.

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