Three dads who set out to achieve something positive following the deaths of their daughters have now raised more than £1m for a national suicide prevention charity.
The 3 Dads Walking, who recently finished a second trek across the UK, say they have been completely overwhelmed by public kindness and generosity.
Andy Airey, born in Threlkeld, now of Morland, and a long-standing director at George Fisher in Keswick, linked up with Mike Palmer, of Greater Manchester, and Tim Owen, of Norfolk, with the original idea of raising around £9,000 each.
Last year Threlkeld’s Andy Airey, alongside Mike Palmer and Tim Owen, walked 300 miles in memory of their daughters, who they each lost to suicide. Starting at Andy’s Cumbrian home, the route took them through Sale, where Mike lives, finishing their journey at Tim’s home in Norfolk.
Last month, the three dads set off on another walk – this time taking in much of the UK. Starting in Northern Ireland, they are walking through Scotland, Cumbria and Wales before finishing at the gates of Parliament in London.
But this week, the total for Papyrus Prevention of Young Suicide stands at £1,004,709.
The fundraising walks were in honour of their beloved daughters who were lost to suicide; Beth Palmer, 17; Emily Owen, 19; and Sophie Airey, 29.
