SIXTY fundraisers stepped out in Widnes to raise awareness that there is help for young people not coping with life.

Children and adults raised £1,500 to help the charity Papyrus which is dedicated to preventing young suicides.

It is the fifth Papyrus HOPEwalk and the biggest so far.

Widnesian Ged Flynn, 49, of Liverpool Road, chief executive of Papyrus, said: “Each year we are joined by increasing numbers of walkers and I hugely value the support from our Widnes community and beyond.

“We encountered some amazing conversations along the way and I have no doubt everyone who walked helped to break the silence that is killing our young people.”

Suicide is the biggest killer of young people in the UK.

Money raised by the walk will maintain the charity’s national HOPELineUK helpline services and extend its reach to more young people through its suicide prevention training and suicide-safer community projects.

HOPELineUK, the Papyrus helpline is available by calling 0800 068 41 41, text 07786 209 697 or e-mail pat@papyrus-uk.org. The service is confidential and anonymity is respected.