Walk in memory of Ben Fitchett

Tracy Edmondson, Julie Ashworth, Julie Decamps and Susan Woollard

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Family, friends and members of the local community took part in the Shaw Hope Walk in memory of teenager Ben Fitchett today (Sunday 20 October).

Three walks took place throughout the day with participants either doing a 20-mile, 10-mile or 5-mile walk.

Karen Hall, who was cheering on walkers from The Wine Press Littleborough, said: “The first walkers set off at 7.00am and the first team from The Wine Press set off at 12:22 with the last team leaving at 14:00.”

Altogether 19 teams with a total of 121 walkers took part in the sponsored walk.

As well as doing the walk in his memory, participants were raising money for the Papyrus Charity, a charity aimed at preventing teenage suicides.

Ben from Balderstone, Rochdale died after falling from a bridge over the M62 in August.

The Shaw Hope Walk is a national event, with 14 walks taking place all over the country today.

Karen added: “The community have been fantastic and everyone has been so supportive.”

Caroline Lees, who set off from The Wine Press, said: “We wanted to support the family and the community and it seemed like a good thing to do with everyone involved.”

Andrew Evans who took part in the 10-mile walk said: “It has been a brilliant walk.

"Our team knew the family so we wanted to support them.”

The group has already raised £2,100 for the charity through online sponsorship and gave themselves a target of £2,500.

Cathy Bottomley, who was helping raise money at The North Star in High Crompton, said: “We have raised £2,100 and that isn’t including all of the sponsorship money that is yet to come in so we have smashed the target.”

As well as taking part in the walk, fundraising events were also taking place at The North Star in High Crompton.

Activities there included face painting, tattoo art, raffles and cake sales.

Cathy added: “It is about raising awareness so that people understand that this can happen to anybody.”

The Papyrus charity was founded in 1997 and aims to reduce stigma associated with suicide, increase awareness of young suicide, provide services, campaign as a UK charity, listen and learn and contribute to local, regional and national suicide prevention.

Karen added: “Sarah and Peter are still so positive and it’s nice to do these things for them.”For anyone wishing to donate money, you can do by visiting:

http://www.justgiving.com/shaw-hopewalk