Manchester dad awarded MBE for his suicide prevention charity work

Mike Palmer lost his daughter Beth in 2020 and has been raising money for Papyrus ever since.

Three dads made MBEs for walking campaigns to raise money for suicide prevention after losing their own daughters said the honors were “bittersweet”.

Andy Airey, Mike Palmer and Tim Owen started Three Dads Walking in memory of their daughters who took their own lives – Beth Palmer, 17, Emily Owen, 19, and Sophie Airey, 29 .

They completed a 500-mile walk from Stirling to Norwich in May to raise money for young suicide prevention charity Papyrus, for which they raised more than £1.4m.

The three fathers were each made Members of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King’s Birthday Honors List.

Mr Owen, from Shouldham, Norfolk, told the PA news agency: “It’s bittersweet for all of us because the only reason we’re getting this honor is because of the work we’ve done after losing our all daughters. suicide.

“All three of us would trade this prize, this honor, in a heartbeat to get our girls back.”

He added: “We are humbled, but all three of us would prefer not to be in this position. But now we are in this position, we are very grateful.”

Mr Airey, who is from Eden Valley in Cumbria, said: “Because we’re talking about the girls, it’s like they’re with us all the time.

“We never let them go.”

Mr Palmer said the pain of losing Beth “never goes away”, adding: “I think maybe you get a little stronger to carry the weight as time goes on.”

Mr Owen said peer support was “important” for parents who have lost children to suicide because of “an unspoken bond between you”.

“Knowing the other two – Mike and Andy – knowing what it feels like to lose your daughter – it’s so powerful,” he added.

Three Dads’ fundraising efforts have helped Papyrus expand the hours of its suicide prevention helpline to a 24-hour service and open more offices.

The charity said suicide is the leading cause of death for under-35s in the UK.

Mr Palmer, who worked as a firefighter in Sale, Greater Manchester, said: “I’ve met people who have said they didn’t take their own lives because we raise awareness and talk about it, but sometimes it’s a problem. the knife edge between life and death.

“And just a few little things or one thing can make a difference.”

The three parents spoke to political leaders during their walks, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labor leader Sir Keir Starmer.

Mr Palmer said: “Both Rishi Sunak and Keir Starmer – when they spoke to us – they spoke like fathers. And that really happened – this kind of thing doesn’t discriminate.”

The three fathers campaigned for suicide prevention lessons – currently optional for age-appropriate children – to become a statutory part of the curriculum.

Mr Owen described a public consultation, published in May, as a “massive step”.

However, he added that fathers are concerned that no direct references to suicide are being made in Year 7s and want to ensure that suicide prevention is compulsory in schools and not optional.

Mr Owen said: “I’ve met so many parents grieving the suicide of 11-year-olds – that’s the big hurdle going from primary school to secondary school.”

He added that some of the risks could be “mitigated” by teaching suicide prevention in year 7s.

Mr Palmer said the three dads were “not done yet” and “there’s more to do”, with Mr Owen adding: “If we can stop another family going through this then it’s all been worth it.”

Papyrus chief executive Ged Flynn said the fathers were “rightly honored as our heroes” and helped start “conversations in homes and communities where families were unable or unwilling to discuss suicide”.

Mr Flynn added: “We are delighted that the three walking fathers have been honored by their country for the remarkable impact they have had and the young lives they have undoubtedly helped to save.

“Bringed together by the tragedy and trauma of suicide – which shattered their lives and the lives of those around them – Andy, Mike and Tim set out to achieve something positive after the loss of their daughters Sophie, Beth and Emily.

“In doing so, they created something extraordinary that captured the hearts of the nation.”

For confidential suicide prevention help and advice, the Papyrus 24/7 helpline can be contacted on 0800 068 4141, by texting 88247 or emailing [email protected].

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