Dad's emotional plea after receiving emergency unexpected email

Len and Gail Wilson. Their son Nathan took his own life in 2013
-Credit:Andrew Teebay Liverpool Echo


A dad is shocked after receiving an emergency appeal from a charity close to his heart. Len Wilson, 72, from Waterloo, has worked extensively with PAPYRUS, standing for the Prevention of Young Suicide, after his son Nathan took his own life on February 27 2013, aged 17.

With better-funded schools and mental health services, a bigger clampdown on bullying and a more open attitude to suicide and its causes, Len and his wife Gail believe their son’s death – and the majority of others – could have been prevented.

For several years, Len and Gail, with the support of PAPYRUS which is based in Warrington, have organised a yearly run in Crosby for the charity in Nathan’s memory. The event is attended by many people in the area, including former Liverpool FC defender Jamie Carragher.

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However, in the last few days, the charity has launched the first emergency appeal in its 28-year-history, claiming rising costs and falling donations across the charity sector means extra funding is urgently needed.

PAPYRUS says it will do all it can to continue staffing its HOPELINE247 service during the night, when children and young people are struggling through their darkest hours.

Len was devastated when he was told about the state of a charity’s finances just a few weeks before the anniversary of his son’s death. He told the ECHO: “I received an email from them last week telling me.

“I was a little bit shocked. You don't realise the scale of the problem until you hear something like that. I told them it’s coming up to that time again - February 27, which is when Nathan died. It’s an emotional appeal. They're getting so many more calls. To put an appeal out like that shows how bad and how urgent this issue is.”

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Since its HOPELINE247 service went round-the-clock in the summer of 2023, the charity says it has seen an 86% increase in the number of contacts received via text and emails. Last year there was a 66% increase in those reaching out via its webchat service.

HOPELINE247 is staffed by professionally trained, paid suicide prevention advisors. PAPYRUS, which has offices and hubs in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, has now set an emergency fundraising target of £440,000 which would enable it to continue operating normally.

Speaking about the charity’s impact on him and his family, Len added: “I got involved in 2017. It helps us cope. Nothing will ever bring Nathan back, but getting involved helps us prevent other families going through what we’ve gone through. It's therapy for us. Being involved with PAPYRUS has helped tremendously.”

Len believes Nathan, like his twin Curtis, had Asperger’s syndrome and was bullied for not fitting in at school, which led to him feeling depressed and wanting to exclude himself from the outside world. Len says the yearly Crosby run has continued to keep suicide prevention on the agenda.

PAPYRUS says it has seen an 86% increase in people contacting its HOPELINE247 service since it went round-the-clock in the summer of 2023
PAPYRUS says it has seen an 86% increase in people contacting its HOPELINE247 service since it went round-the-clock in the summer of 2023 -Credit:ChronicleLive

He said: “Off the back of our last run, in about October, a lady from a SEN school contacted me. She went on our run for the first time. She asked me if I'd be interested in getting students to do a suicide prevention programme. That programme has now been taken into several schools.”

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Len hopes people will take notice of the charity’s plea. He said: “I’m on a state pension so I can’t really afford to make huge donations but we will continue our work including the run. The charity’s work is so vital. The work of PAPYRUS is needed now more than ever.”

Ged Flynn, PAPYRUS’ chief executive, said: “Nothing is more important in life than keeping our children and young people safe. We are here every minute of every hour, 365 days of the year, giving hope to those who are struggling with thoughts of suicide.

“We are only able to do this thanks to the incredible generosity of the public. Quite simply, donations and fundraising underpin everything we do. Regrettably, an unforeseen reduction in the voluntary revenue we receive means we are now facing real challenges in the way we deliver our vital services.

Mr Flynn says he makes no apology for appealing directly to the public for help. He added: “No child or young person deserves to be alone with thoughts of suicide. Our work shines a ray of hope into the darkness.

“Suicides devastate families and friendships, shatter schools and shake the very foundations of our local communities. Every life lost is a tragic waste and yet we believe many young suicides can be prevented.

“Everyone has a role to play and with your generosity PAPYRUS will be able to continue our work, which is far from done. Suicide rates remain stubbornly high and somehow we must overcome the obstacles we face, find the money we need and help our children and young people to choose life.” At the time of writing, over £18,000 has been raised for PAPYRUS. You can find out more about the fundraiser here.