Three mums unite walking across the country for suicide awareness begin final days in Kent
They united having all lost their sons to suicide
Three mums whose sons took their own lives and teamed up to walk hundreds of miles to raise awareness around suicide have arrived in Kent, ahead of finishing their trek on Sunday in Sandwich.
Liz Hurlstone from Staffordshire, Kim McCarthy from London and Michelle Dore from Kent are on a near 270-mile trek, which began in Madeley - the hometown of Liz and her 17-year-old son Seb who ended his life in November 2021.
Today, the three mums are leaving Gillingham at around 9:30, and are making their way to Sittingbourne.
From today until Sunday, when they finish their walk, they'll be passing through several areas in the county, including Faversham, Canterbury and Staple.
Their journey finishes at Sir Roger Manwoods School in Sandwich, the hometown of Michelle and her 17-year-old son Maxi who took his life last year.
Michelle said: "Myself and the two other mothers are replicating what the 3 Dads Walking (they walked in 2021 and 2022 to raise awareness) did last year and continue to do. We will raise awareness of suicide prevention and the invaluable work of PAPYRUS.
"I need young people to know that in that moment they can speak to someone.
"Maxi had so many people – loving friends and family and most importantly me whom he knew he could talk to at any time and did.
"I will never ever understand why in that moment he chose not to but I cannot change it. I can however change it for others going forwards."
The walk also stopped by in Northamptonshire and London, where Kim and her 21-year-old son Hayden are from; he took his own life in 2019.
"We'd rather not be doing the walk." Liz told Greatest Hits Radio News.
"We're reminded on a minute by minute hour by hour basis why all three of us are doing this walk.
"But if we can raise awareness and we can prevent any more young lives being lost to suicide, well then all three of us feel we have to give it our best shot."
They are supporting the charity Papyrus Prevention of Young Suicide who say is the biggest killer of young people under the age of 35 in the UK.
In 2018 over 1800 young people took their own lives.
PAPYRUS provides confidential support and advice to young people struggling with thoughts of suicide, and anyone worried about a young person through their helpline, HOPELINEUK.
Kim added: "I found PAPYRUS after losing Hayden and I wanted to do whatever I could to help people.
"So now along with Liz and Michelle I’m doing what I can to raise awareness about suicide prevention."
You can read more about the three mums and their stories by clicking here.