WATCH: Fundraisers step out to shine a light on suicide

Monday, 30 November 2020 11:04

Two supporters of The Anthony Seddon Fund have completed a 20-mile sponsored walk to shine a light on suicide.

Faye Callan and Rachel Lafferty walked 19 miles on Saturday (28 November), carrying fundraising boxes for people to donate to the Ashton-based charity along the route.

They covered each town in Tameside - with each mile representing one of the 19 lives lost to suicide in the borough in 2019.

They also walked an extra mile for anybody struggling in 2020 which Rachel personally dedicated to her brother Rob - who she sadly lost to suicide 12 years ago.

The pair began in Mossley before moving on to Ashton, Droylsden, Audenshaw, Denton, Dukinfield, Hyde, Longdendale. They finished their journey at Stalybridge Celtic Football Club, where they were greeted by family and friends for a socially distanced celebration.

Explaining her motivation for taking on the challenge, Rachel said: “I’ve struggled myself with mental health over the years and I actually lost my brother, Rob, to suicide in 2008.

“I’ve always found exercise is my release and my escape, so I do keep active in general.

“With gyms closing and people feeling more isolated cause of lockdown, I think it’s really important to raise awareness and encourage people to get out, because it does help your mental health massively."

Others have also embarked on the 19-mile challenge, including Shaun Bishop and the first team at Stalybridge Celtic who did it in memory of avid Celtic fan Andy Cowley and have raised over £1,600 so far.

The Anthony Seddon Fund is also encouraging others to step out for a 19-mile sponsored walk between now and Christmas, sponsored by their friends, family and colleagues.

The charity aims to raise awareness of how people can work together to prevent more lives being lost to suicide.

For more information on how you can get involved, email Angie Wild from The Anthony Seddon Fund at angiewild@tasfund.org.uk

Watch a video at the top of the page of Faye and Rachel's walk and see more photos in our album below.