Leicestershire developer backs suicide prevention charity with £1,500 donation

Added by Love Business East Midlands | 18 November 2024

UPDATED: 19 November 2024

Coalville-based David Wilson Homes has made a £1,500 donation to PAPYRUS, a national charity dedicated to reducing the number of young people who take their own lives.

The contribution was made in recognition of the tireless efforts of the 3 Dads Walking – Andy Airey, Mike Palmer, and Tim Owen – who have raised approximately £1.4 million for PAPYRUS in memory of their daughters Sophie, Emily, and Beth, all of whom were tragically lost to suicide.

Suicide remains the biggest killer of young people in the UK. Founded 26 years ago as the Parents’ Association for the Prevention of Young Suicide, PAPYRUS aims to reduce the number of young lives lost by breaking down the stigma surrounding suicide and equipping people with the skills to recognise and respond to suicidal behaviour.

HOPELINE247, the charity’s confidential helpline service, provides practical advice and support to young people with thoughts of suicide and anyone concerned about a young person who may be having suicidal thoughts. The service is staffed by trained professionals and offers telephone, text, and email support.

Andy Airey, speaking on behalf of 3 Dads Walking, said:

“We would like to say a big thank you to David Wilson Homes for its generous donation of £1,500 to PAPYRUS, every penny of which will be spent helping to save young lives.

“Fundraising and donations like this help the charity to continue giving hope to young people who are struggling with life.

“Donations help to pay for potentially life-saving calls, texts and emails to the charity’s confidential HOPELINE247 service, which offers support and advice to young people and anyone who is worried about a young person who may be having thoughts of suicide.   

“Funding also helps PAPYRUS to engage with local communities and volunteers in suicide prevention projects and supports the training they deliver to individuals and groups, equipping people with the skills to recognise and respond to suicidal behaviour.

“We believe that many young suicides are preventable and together we can all help to keep our communities suicide-safe.”

David Wilson Homes’ donation was made as part of its Community Fund scheme via The Barratt Foundation, which is run by its parent company, Barratt Developments. It is designed to support national and local charities, large and small, across the UK to leave a legacy in the communities in which the housebuilder operates.

Since The Barratt Foundation launched in 2021, it has donated more than £12 million of funding to over 1,000 charities.

John Reddington, Managing Director at David Wilson Homes East Midlands, said:

“We are deeply moved by the dedication and resilience shown by Andy, Mike, and Tim through 3 Dads Walking. Their work with PAPYRUS is inspiring, and we are honoured to support such a vital cause.

“At David Wilson Homes, we believe in the importance of community and are committed to making a positive impact wherever we can. Supporting PAPYRUS and its life-saving services aligns with our goal to help build safer, stronger communities.”

To find out more about the charity or to make a donation, visit PAPYRUS. For more information about 3 Dads Walking, visit the website.

For practical, confidential suicide prevention help and advice, contact PAPYRUS HOPELINE247 on 0800 068 4141, text 88247, or email pat@papyrus-uk.org.

To find out more about developments in the county by David Wilson Homes, visit the website at David Wilson Homes in Leicestershire.

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