Hollywood actor Daniel Craig has sent a heartfelt message of support to three fathers who have lost young daughters to suicide.
The 3 Dads Walking are currently on a 600-mile trek across the UK, calling for suicide prevention to be included in the school curriculum.
In a surprise video message to the bereaved fathers, Mr Craig describes them as “truly, truly heroic.”
The actor has already donated £10,000 to Papyrus Prevention of Young Suicide, the North West-based charity which they support.
In his video Mr Craig says to the dads: “Shout loudly, I know you’ll be heard. All my very best. Good luck.’’”
Andy Airey, who worked at George Fisher in Keswick for many years, Mike Palmer from Greater Manchester and Tim Owen from Norfolk say they were totally overwhelmed by his kindness.
“It was absolutely brilliant of Daniel Craig to do that. It means so much to us to have made such an impression. It just shows that we are getting suicide talked about. That’s the whole point of why we are doing this,” said Mike.
The actor’s personal tribute is among moving messages from a host of celebrities, sporting heroes and families who have been bereaved by
suicide.
Last year the 3 Dads Walking teamed-up to trek 300 miles to raise money and awareness for the charity Papyrus, which has its head office in Warrington.
This year they are aiming to double that distance by walking 600-miles between the parliaments of all four UK nations. They started at Stormont in Northern Ireland on September 9 before heading through Scotland. They are currently walking through northern England to Wales before ending their challenge at Westminster on October 10.
Their deeply personal family stories of suicide have attracted global media attention. Last year Hollywood star Nicole Kidman matched Daniel Craig’s charity donation of £10,000 as did Manchester United soccer legend Lou Macari, who lost his son to suicide.
The 3 Dads Walking have since raised more than £880,000 as part of their quest to make suicide prevention a compulsory part of the school curriculum.
They are walking in memory of their daughters 17-year-old Beth Palmer, 19-year-old Emily Owen and Sophie Airey who was aged 29.
Andy said: “Around 200 schoolchildren are lost to suicide every year. That is both a tragedy and a national scandal which needs to be addressed.
“Our walk is to provide a focus for continuing the conversation with governments about embedding suicide prevention in the school curriculum.
“Young people want to know more about mental wellbeing and where to get help and schools have a vital role to play in saving young lives.“
More information about 3 Dads Walking can be found on their website, www.3dadswalking.uk/
