Group of friends to take on the three peaks challenge in memory of a Wigan man
A group of friends are preparing to take on the gruelling Three Peaks Challenge in memory of a man from Wigan.
Ellis Folkard from Standish died by suicide a year ago and now some of his friends are taking on the mission to fund-raise for Andy’s Man Club - a mental health charity for men that has a branch in the town.
The group will take on the challenge in April but are already in training for it as it involves scaling the tallest peaks in Wales, England and Scotland in 24 hours.
Ellis’ friends said: “Ellis was a beloved partner, friend and son and left an impression on everyone he met.
“He was highly intelligent, pursuing a career in law, and had a wicked sense of humour. Most importantly he was kind and always put his friends above himself.
“All money raised will be donated to Andy's Man Club. This is a men’s suicide prevention charity, with the singular goal of preventing the heartache and grief experienced by families that comes with losing someone to suicide.
“This is achieved by encouraging men to speak openly, in weekly peer support groups, and helping provide support to that one man, to help them see their tomorrow can be better than their today.
“Any donation means the world to us.”
The group has almost reached its £1,500 target.
In the UK, suicide is the biggest killer of men aged under 50. Every 90 minutes, one person dies by suicide, with around 74 per cent of this being male.
To donate to the challenge visit: https://www.justgiving.com/page/-1761165940414?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CL