3 Dads Walking 2024 Day 11 - Greystones to Ellingstring

At 7.30am we were met by a group from Richmond Swimming Club, one of whom had lost their 16-year-old to suicide only a few weeks ago. Another family devastated by young suicide. As a society we can’t keep ignoring that suicide is the biggest killer of our young people - we need to act.

Our walk took us south towards Richmond, along the way we were met by well-wishers, people wanting to donate cash and more suicide-bereaved parents. The chat was constant and the spirit very positive.

Food and drink for the day was supplied by Sarla, Andy’s friend from Morland, and Andy’s wife Fiona and Bill, Sophie’s uncle, walked with us most of the day (today was the closest we’d get to Andy’s Cumbrian Home).

As well as being welcomed by many people in. Richmond, when we walked through every village loads of people came out to applaud us in and wish us well. We can’t tell you how special it is to be on the receiving end of so much love and support. In Hunton we enjoyed a verse or two of ‘On Ilkley Moor Bar t’At’...we certainly are in Yorkshire!

Our day finished with a 2 mile climb to Ellingstring; .our tired legs were encouraged along by a number of locals who came out to greet us and the welcome into the tiny hamlet was exceptional.