Tesco grant funds suicide prevention resource for Glasgow schools

Glasgow schools will receive resource packs from a national suicide prevention charity.

PAPYRUS (Prevention of Young Suicide) won £1,500 after receiving the highest number of blue tokens at Tesco's checkouts across Glasgow in the Tesco Stronger Starts Fund public vote.

The prize money will serve to benefit the local community with the charity planning to create resource packs which will be circulated across 30 secondary schools at the start of the next academic term.

These resource packs will comprise a series of PAPYRUS literature and merchandise, and aim to support students who may be struggling with suicidal thoughts.

It will also enable staff to assist these students if they have a concern.

Ciara Queen, community development officer for PAPYRUS in Glasgow, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen by the public as one of the winners of the Tesco Stronger Starts Fund.

“This allows us to make young people in the Glasgow and surrounding areas aware of the services we provide.

“Suicide is the biggest killer of under 35s and it is important for young people to know who they can turn to.

“Although we are a national charity our focus is on offering life-saving services at local level.

“Sadly, around 200 teenagers die by suicide each year and every day we help to save the lives of children and young people who may be struggling with life.”

The Tesco’s Stronger Starts Fund, formerly known as Tesco Bags of Help and Tesco Community Grants, has funded more than 60,000 projects across the UK.

The grant programme collaborates with Groundwork UK to ensure children across the UK get a stronger start in life.

The funds aid schools and children's groups to support young people's physical health and mental wellbeing.

Tony McElroy, head of communications at Tesco in Scotland, said: “The Tesco Stronger Starts Fund helps support local good causes, but especially those projects supporting young people.”

Emma Halliday, community enabler coordinator at greenspace Scotland, said: “Tesco Stronger Starts continues to give local projects the boost they need to help their communities thrive.

“By funding services which support young people, we hope to facilitate positive change from the ground up across the UK. We are pleased to have been able to help so many local good causes over the years and look forward to seeing what community organisations can achieve in the future with the right resources.”