Five members of staff at a rural insurer are to take part in a skydive to raise money and awareness for suicide prevention.
The staff at the Penrith and Cockermouth agencies of NFU Mutual are taking part in the challenge on September 3 to raise money for the suicide prevention charity PAPYRUS.
PAPYRUS works 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 suicidal behaviour.
Money raised by NFU Mutual and its staff will help to pay for potentially lifesaving calls, texts and emails to the charity’s confidential HOPELINEUK service, which offers support and advice to young people who are struggling and anyone who is worried about a young person who may be having thoughts of suicide.
The skydive has already received support from Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and the Border, who shared the link to the JustGiving page, saying: “Five of the team from NFU Mutual Penrith and Cockermouth agency will be taking part in a charity skydive in aid of PAPYRUS. Mental health within the farming community is a vital cause and PAPYRUS do an amazing job.”
Fundraising also helps PAPYRUS to engage with local communities and volunteers in suicide prevention projects and deliver training to individuals and groups.
Jack Ritson, customer adviser at NFU Mutual, said: “During these times it’s more important than ever to raise awareness about mental health and the resources available to help those in need.
“This is as important within agricultural communities as it is anywhere else. We all have a responsibility to make sure that support is accessible and inclusive. By partnering with PAPYRUS, the NFU Mutual team hopes to contribute towards this.”
Ged Flynn, chief executive of the charity PAPYRUS, the UK charity for Prevention of Young Suicide, said: “PAPYRUS is delighted to be partnering with NFU Mutual and welcomes the company’s valuable support.
“By working together, we will raise greater awareness of the vital support which is available and engage with young people who are struggling with their self-esteem and self-worth.
“Suicide is the biggest killer of young people in the UK and we must reduce the number of young people who take their own lives by breaking down the stigma around suicide and equipping people with the skills to recognise and respond to suicidal behaviour.
“Together we must continue giving hope to young people who are struggling with life.”
The skydive is part of a wider fundraising target by the NFU Mutual team to raise £3,000 for PAPYRUS.
To learn more about their fundraising or to donate, visit: https://www.justgiving.com/team/Nfum-PAPYRUS
