3 Dads Walking have been handed the Petition of the Year Award in Parliament.
At an awards ceremony in the Speaker’s State Rooms, in the Palace of Westminster, the 3 Dads accepted their award for their petition to make suicide prevention a compulsory part of the school curriculum.
Receiving more than 160,000 signatures from across the UK, the petition was a key part of the 3 Dads’ campaign to better protect young people from the tragedy of suicide.
Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and the Border, said he had been a key supporter and collaborator with the trio along their journey, securing them meetings with the Prime Minister, Education Secretary and Mental Health Minister.
Andy Airey, of Threlkeld, near Keswick, alongside Mike Palmer from Greater Manchester and Tim Owen from Norfolk, all lost children to suicide.
They joined together to complete a walk to raise cash for suicide prevention charity Papyrus, which captured the country’s imagination and have embarked on further fundraising treks.
Dr Hudson said: “Each time I meet the 3 Dads, I am simply humbled by their bravery and compassion for others. To turn such deep and personal tragedies into a campaign of hope has taken incredible levels of fortitude, and so it is only right they have again been celebrated in Parliament.
“To join them along their journey has been simply humbling and I remain optimistic we will see the change that is needed to better protect our young folk from the tragedy of suicide.
“Again I say a deep and sincere thank you to the 3 Dads and it was a well-deserved win for their transformative petition.”
