A two-and-a-half-mile walk around the city organised by the University of Central Lancashire, Mary O’Gara Foundation and Papyrus saw 250 people come together to highlight the important issue of suicide prevention and talk about mental wellbeing
In a huge show of support and love, 250 people took to the streets of Preston to break the stigma that surrounds suicide by openly talking about the issue during a looped walk of the city that began at the University of Central Lancashire’s Student Centre and included large parts of Avenham Park.
Organised by the University of Central Lancashire, Mary O’Gara Foundation and Papyrus, the walk took place on Tuesday 8 October. PAPYRUS, the national charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide, confirmed that the Preston event is the largest registered Hope Walk recorded.
The walk was officially started by the University’s Vice Chancellor Professor Graham Baldwin and Mary’s dad Paul O’Gara on University Square where a brass band played, supportive charities had information stalls and refreshments were served.
Paul and Sharon O’Gara set up the Mary O’Gara Foundation to honour the memory of their daughter who they sadly lost to suicide in 2020.
"Thankfully Mary did her usual trick of guiding the clouds to somewhere else so we enjoyed an unusually dry day in Preston for the event."
— Paul O’Gara - dad of Mary and joint founder of the Mary O’Gara Foundation
Mary was working in the NHS and three months into a Degree Apprenticeship course at the University of Central Lancashire when she very sadly took her own life. To those around her, she was bright, popular, had a good circle of friends and a good job. But she struggled with depression. As the foundation strapline says: ‘Look beyond the smile’.
Following the Hope Walk, Paul O’Gara said: “Thankfully Mary did her usual trick of guiding the clouds to somewhere else so we enjoyed an unusually dry day in Preston for the event.
“Conversations Sharon and I had throughout the day and then after in the University’s Student Centre, shows that everyone got something positive from the event and it has actually helped people too. We also took a look at the Wall of Hope the university had organised and chatted with students who’d contributed by adding their personal messages. The wall looked amazing and some of the inputs were so powerful too.”
The University of Central Lancashire’s Mental Health Clinical Lead Julia Hunt said “I walked with a few different people and had some poignant but important conversations which was the aim of the event. I also connected with a couple of University of Central Lancashire staff too who I hadn’t met before.
"Suicide awareness raising and prevention is a leading priority for us. We’re not afraid to talk about suicide and are proud to continually support the Mary O’Gara Foundation."
— The University of Central Lancashire’s Mental Health Clinical Lead Julia Hunt
“Suicide is the main cause of death in young people under the age of 35 in the UK but no one is immune. At the University of Central Lancashire we have a dedicated team of highly trained and experienced practitioners in mental health and wellbeing support. They deliver one to one and group support online and in person taking both a proactive and reactive approach.
“Positive mental health and wellbeing is central to life on all our campuses. Looking after ourselves and each other is vital to a healthy and successful university experience and is championed by all our staff and students.
“Suicide awareness raising and prevention is a leading priority for us. We’re not afraid to talk about suicide and are proud to continually support the Mary O’Gara Foundation.”
