Big steps in memory of young man, 21, who took his own life

Fordie’s Footsteps is a 70-mile fundraiser being held in aid of the charity, Papyrus Prevention of Young Suicide – with 50 per cent of the takings going to the person who can guess correctly how many steps it takes to complete the challenge.

On average 12 men lose their life everyday in the UK from suicide – and the best friend of the intrepid team, Thomas ‘Fordie’ Ford, sadly . became one of those statistics when he took his own life.

William Fisher, Jordan Wale, Sam Maidment, Brandon Sykes, Jovi Whitehead and Rob Hill will set off on Friday, June 13, from Headingly Leeds, where Fordie lived whilst studying at university, then on to his beloved football club, Everton.

Will explained: “We don’t want any more families to suffer the pain of losing their loved one, so in honour of his life, we will be taking on this challenge.

"We will be completing it on his 25th birthday on Saturday, June 14.”

Already their efforts have raised more than £3,700.

To make a donation visit the crowdfunding page Jordie's Footsteps: A Walk To Remember on gofundme.

The challenge doesn’t end there. Swifts Junior Football Club (JFC) is supporting the appeal as Fordie was an ex-member. They are supporting their own appeal, inviting people to walk, run, cycle and swim two miles and donate £2 to their ‘I'm raising £500 to Support the fundraising for Fordie's footsteps’ justgiving page.

• Papyrus Prevention of Young Suicide: PAPYRUS is the national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide in the UK. According to their website, suicide is the biggest killer of young people under the age of 35 in the UK. The charity also believes that everyone can play a role in suicide prevention and we work towards a society which speaks openly about suicide and has the resources to save young lives.