A FORMER Crompton House pupil will be remembered during a walk and events next month to raise awareness for young suicide prevention charity PAPYRUS.
Ben Fitchett was just 14 when he died on his way to his paper round in August 2013.
At Ben’s inquest a year later, coroner Lisa Hashmi said Ben had taken his own life in a ‘spur of the moment decision’.
Now four years after Ben’s parents Peter and Sarah Fitchett organised a first HOPEWALK, which raised more than £11,000 for PAPYRUS, an anniversary walk is being held on Sunday, October 7.
In addition to five and 10-mile walks, the North Star pub in High Crompton will be holding an event and activities as well as providing a base for the day.
Ben was a keen scout, returning from a camp in Switzerland the day before his death.
So the 3RD Shaw (St Mary’s) Scout Group is also involved in the activities with a 20-mile walk organised by leader Peter Joy.
“By walking in memory of Ben our aim is to walk in fellowship, fundraise and raise awareness,” said mum Sarah.
“Our aim is to get the conversation around suicide started, in order to #SmashTheStigma.
“We choose October to celebrate World Mental Health Day.
“Supporting PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide is very important to me because we lost Ben to suicide.
“I’m really looking forward to raising money for PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide with the team through the High Crompton HOPEWALK 2018.”
Suicide is the biggest killer of young people under the 35 in the UK; every year over 1,600 young people take their own life.
PAPYRUS is the national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide.
Final timings have yet to be confirmed but the 10-mile walk is due to start at 8am from the North Star.
The five-miler will start from the Wine Press at Hollingworth Lake and end in High Crompton at the North Star on Rushcroft Road.
Other events at the pub include face painting, cake sales, raffles and tattoo art.
Entry to the walks cost £5 per person which will pay for one phone call/email/text contact to HOPELINEUK.
For more details or to enter email HOPEWALK2018@aol.com
The deadline for entries is Sunday, September 30.
HOPELineUK confidential helpline provides practical advice and support to young people with thoughts of suicide and those concerned about a young person who may have thoughts of suicide.
It is staffed by trained professionals and offers a phone, text and email service.
PAPYRUS also offers training, delivers regional outreach programmes, and campaigns and influences national policy.
“Our supporters and fundraisers provide a huge part of our income, which helps us to reach more people across the UK, supporting young people at risk of suicide,” said Ottilie Scanlon, PAPYRUS fundraising officer.
“We’d like to say an enormous ‘thank you’ to Sarah Fitchett (Trustee for PAPYRUS) and the High Crompton HOPEWALK Team for the all hard work they have put in and their generosity.”
Support High Crompton HOPEWALK 2018 fundraising directlyby donating online:
www.justgiving.com/fundraising/hopewalk-2018-high-crompton
If you are under the age of 35 and having thoughts of suicide, or if you are concerned about a young person, call PAPYRUS HOPELineUK on 0800 068 41 41, text 07786 209 697, or email pat@papyrus-uk.org