A CYCLIST arrived in Conwy as part of her mammoth challenge to cycle more than 3,500 miles around the coast of the UK.

Katy Roberts was met by Mike Palmer MBE, of the 3 Dads Walking and Amanda Davies, Community Development Officer for PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide.

Katy, from Swanpool, Falmouth in Cornwall, is raising awareness of the national charity PAPYRUS to help save young lives.

On Saturday 1 June, Katy started her challenge of a lifetime, where she will also stop off to take a swim in the sea at different locations throughout her journey.

Katy said: “I lost my dad, Tim, to suicide when I was 17, I’m 34 now and I want to help, I want to discuss suicide and how we can prevent it.”

Suicide is the biggest killer of young people under the age of 35 and every year more than 200 teenagers are lost to suicide. “My dad would have wanted to help young people struggling like he did” she added.

Katy spoke with Mike Palmer MBE who lost his 17-year-old daughter, Beth to suicide in 2020.

Mike, of the 3 Dad Walking has already raised more than a million pounds for the charity, becoming a national hero for his remarkable work surrounding suicide prevention.

Katy says: “Supporting and making people aware of charities like PAPYRUS is so important to me.

“Sometimes people can lose hope if they don’t know what help is available and they may feel very alone. If I can help to encourage people to get outdoors, get moving and join a community, these can hopefully be steps people can take to try and feel a bit better.

“I am asking people to join me along the way, to hop on a bike and cycle alongside me or if they don’t have a bike, then people can join me for a dip, as I’ll also be getting in the sea every day.

“I want this to be a safe space for people to talk. So, if they have lost someone to suicide, or are dealing with their own mental health struggles or they just want time to be outside in nature, come and meet me along the way.”

Amanda Davies, Community Development Officer for PAPYRUS said: “It was tremendous to get the opportunity to meet Katy, to be able to hear her story, listen to why she is taking on such a big challenge and to be able to talk about her hopes for her journey and fundraising, in order to make a difference in other peoples' lives.

“It is because of incredible fundraisers like Katy, that we can carry on with our life-saving work.”

PAPYRUS operate a confidential helpline service, HOPELINE247, which offers practical advice and support to young people who are struggling with life and anyone who is concerned about a young person who may be having thoughts of suicide.