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'Full circle' walk supports suicide prevention

Catherine LeeNorth East and Cumbria
News imageSusan Day A woman holding a dacshund in her arms. She is wearing sportswear - a pale turquoise vest, a pale blue baseball cap, and a black rucksack from which a collection tin dangles. She is smiling and looking at the dog which is light brown, with a somewhat quizzical expression and wearing a black harness. Behind her is a brick wall, with a white door and part of a green banner can be seen.Susan Day
Susan Dray was accompanied by Gobi - short for Gobaith, which means "hope" in Welsh

A mother who walked more than 270 miles to raise funds and encourage important conversations about suicide prevention has described her challenge as a "full circle moment".

Susan Dray, who lost her son Daniel Rogers in 2021, set off from her home town of Wrexham on 25 May, aiming to walk to Whitley Bay, in North Tyneside, where he was born and grew up.

Travelling via Wirral, where he later lived, she finished on 5 June - which would have been his 38th birthday.

She said she was delighted to delighted to achieve her goal, and "very, very grateful for the incredible support" received throughout the 12 days.

Dray, who relocated to North Wales, took on the role of project lead for Baton of Hope Wrexham, part of the UK's largest suicide prevention initiative.

Through this, she was introduced to Advance Brighter Futures (ABF) - a mental health charity helping lead the movement locally.

Only then did she discover that her son had also worked there, so what began as a "new chapter became a full-circle moment", bringing her closer to him.

News imageFamily handout View of a man in his early thirties. He is wearing dark clothing and a cap, and has a moustache or possibly beard, but the lower half of his face is obscured by the mobile phone or camera he is holding up to take pictures with. He is standing on the corner of a seafront viewpoint, with a large telescope on a stand next to him.Family handout
Susan said her son Daniel would be remembered for his sense of fun

The challenge was done for Daniel, who the family would always remember for his sense of fun, and "would keep smiling and laughing with him", but also "to prevent other families having to go through what we have".

"We're already seeing the difference it's making just by being out there walking and talking," she said.

"People are opening up, sharing their experiences, and starting conversations, and that's exactly what this is all about."

Funds raised from the walk will be shared between ABF and PAPYRUS, the UK charity dedicated to preventing suicide among young people.

Zoe Whitehead, from ABF, said: "Susan's courage and determination is nothing short of inspiring.

"By sharing her story so openly, she is not only raising vital funds for suicide prevention, but she's also helping to break down stigma and encourage important conversations in communities right across the country."

News imageSusan Dray A woman in sportswear standing on the causeway to St Mary's Island, flooded due to the tide, with the white lighthouse and cottages of the island vicible behind her under a bright and cloudy sky. She is wearing sportswear - a bright pink fleece, dark shorts, trainers and a blue baseball cap with a collection tin hanging from her waist. A flag or banner with a picture of a young man can be seen behind her.Susan Dray
The walk, though places which "defined Daniel's life", ended at St Mary's Island in Whitley Bay

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised you can visit the BBC's Action Line pages, or contact Papyrus, or Samaritans.

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