Mayor steps up for suicide prevention charity

Mayor Robert Bettley-Smith is putting his best foot forward for Papyrus – a suicide prevention charity which supports young people – by walking 65 miles, in 10 stages, along the boundary of the borough.

“One Mayor Meandering”, planned by Mayoress Judy Bettley-Smith, is dedicated to the Mayor’s father, Neville, who took his own life in 1956, aged 33.

Council Leader Simon Tagg joined the Mayor on the first part of his maiden walk from Brampton Museum to Westport Lane, via Queens Gardens, on 31 May which was marked by a proclamation from Town Crier Gordon Brayford.

The latest leg, taking place on Saturday, 5 July at 2pm, starts from the car park at Mow Cop Castle and heads to Audley Road, Alsager, via the Macclesfield Canal to Kidsgrove and Alsager Golf Club.

A total of £825 has been raised so far towards the £2,000 target. Donations can be made online.

The Mayor said:

I’m honoured to be the new Mayor of our loyal and ancient borough. I want to highlight issues which increasingly, and sadly, affect our society today: suicide in young people being one of them.

 

Suicide is the biggest killer of young people aged 35 or below in the UK – around 200 teenagers are lost to suicide each year. Sadly, my father took his own life which is why the subject is so close to my heart.

 

I wanted to do something slightly challenging, and also different, to raise money for Papyrus who help individuals and families in crisis. To my knowledge, no-one has done this before. It’s going very well so far; I’ve been joined by parents who have lost children to suicide and it’s really encouraging to see my fundraising total increase.

 

By supporting my walk, we can save lives.”

Residents can keep up to date with the Mayor’s walks, and other activities, via his Facebook page. More information about Papyrus is available here.

The Mayor is also raising money for Belong, based in Newcastle town centre, which provides dementia services.