Three dads complete 300 mile walk in memory of daughters who took own lives raising more than £550K for charity

The three dads who took on a challenging 300 mile trek in memory of their daughters have thanked their supporters after raising more than £500,000. 

Andy Airey, from Cumbria, Mike Palmer, from Greater Manchestser, and Tim Owen, from Norfolk, known online as ‘3 Dads Walking‘, began their colossal fifteen-day-long trek in Cumbria on Saturday, October 9th, where they walked a gruelling journey of 300 miles between their homes, finishing in Norfolk on Saturday October 23rd.

The walking trio met after each of their teenage daughters took their own lives and, as a group, decided to raise money for the youth suicide prevention charity PAPYRUS with a massive walking challenge.

The dads introduced themselves on their JustGiving page, writing: “We are Mike, Tim and Andy. 3 ordinary dads from normal homes in different parts of the country who would never have met if suicide had not united us in one cause.

“Our beloved daughters Bethany, Emily and Sophie all took their own lives. All so young. Very individual, our girl’s stories are very different, however they all fell into despair and their acts of suicide were final.

“The 3 DADS WALKING and PAPYRUS believe there is hope and young people who have fallen out with life can be helped. We are committed to do what we can to prevent other families avoid the life-shattering trauma of losing a child to suicide.”

Their challenge caught nation-wide attention, as well as the attention of celebrities, including James Bond star Daniel Craig and Nicole Kidman who both donated £10,000 to the cause.

@3dadswalking / Instagram

And now, following the completion of their challenge, the dads have raised more than £500,000, precisely £566,449 at the time of writing. Speaking to ITV Granada Reports, Mike Palmer, from Trafford, has since thanked all those who have followed and supported their journey.

He said: “Thank you to everyone who has donated and supported us. We are just three dads. We’ve lost our little girls and we really don’t want other families to go through what we’re going through.”

Speaking ahead of the challenge, Mike had noted that the walking challenge had given himself and the two other dads the opportunity to ‘fight back and maybe make a difference’.

He explained: “Three Dads Walking is not a club I want to belong to, but along with Andy and Tim it gives us, as fathers, an opportunity to fight back and maybe make a difference.

@3dadswalking / Instagram

“We are all too aware that there are more young people out there falling into despair and see no way out other than to end their own precious lives.

“We hope that by linking our three homes and telling our three daughters’ very different stories we will put a spotlight on young mental health and ultimately the brutal effects of suicide.”

To donate to their cause yourself, visit the JustGiving fundraiser here.