We were beyond saddened to hear of the tragic passing of Lucas Backhouse, one of our former Explorer Scouts, at just 18. 

Lucas was a hugely loved member of Wyre Scouts, especially by his Explorer Unit, Tankensuru but also across the whole of West Lancashire, by both young people and leaders alike. 

His smile was contagious, his laughter infectious and he always had everyone crying with laughter. 

He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him and our thoughts go out to his friends and family. 

In the wake of his passing, two of our Explorers, Ben and Isaac came forward and said that they wanted to raise awareness of youth suicide in Lucas' memory.

Both Isaac and Ben went to Scouts and Explorers with Lucas, and although neither of them were in Lucas’s inner circle of friends they both had a connection to him and were deeply saddened by his death. 

Following his funeral, they felt that we personally and as Scouts should organise a fundraising event to help ensure that as few people as possible have to face a young suicide in the future. 

To do this, they decided to organise, with the help of their leaders, a 24hr bikeathon to raise money for the charity Papyrus, a prevention of youth suicide charity, so that they can be there for any other young people who need them to prevent tragedies such as this from happening again in the future.