CORONATION Street stars are supporting a campaign to Spread Hope With Soap for Warrington based charity PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide.
Special handcrafted soaps are helping to raise money and spread awareness of the help which is available to young people having thoughts of suicide.
Corrie actor Peter Gunn, who plays Brian Packham, helped to arrange delivery of the soaps to the Coronation Street set at Media City in Salford, where he explained the charity’s fundraising idea to his fellow soap stars.
“When I told them what the PAPYRUS soaps were all about there was absolutely no hesitation, they just stopped in their tracks and said of course they’d be really happy to help.
“Spread Hope With Soap is aimed at young people and right now we know that more and more are suffering, so it’s really important they know what help is available,” said Peter.
Corrie favourites David Neilson (Roy Cropper), Ian Bartholomew (Geoff Metcalfe), Mark Frost (Ray Crosby), Jane Hazlegrove (Bernie Winter), Ryan Russell (Michael Bailey) and Dolly-Rose Campbell (Gemma Winter) are among the stars pledging their support.
Suicide is the biggest killer of young people under 35 in the UK and the £1.50 raised from the sale of every bar of soap will help to pay for the charity’s HOPELINEUK service, provide the training it offers, assist engaging with local communities and support its volunteers.
The chief executive of Warrington-based PAPYRUS, Ged Flynn, said: “We would like to say a big thank you to the cast of Coronation Street for taking time during their filming breaks to support the vital suicide prevention work we do.
“Sadly, suicide isn’t a fictional work of drama, it is a tragic and unnecessary part of real life which is being played out every day and we all have a role in helping to prevent it.
“Young people who are struggling with life, and their terrified families and friends, need to know they are not alone and that we are here for them.”
PAPYRUS has teamed up with The Soap Sisters, a family-run business set up by mother and daughter Helen Pritchett and Georgia Pattison, to create two handmade designs in the colours of the charity’s logo.
“The partnership is very important to us and we are so excited for customers to be able to unwind with a bar of soap while supporting the fabulous work PAPYRUS does,” said Helen.
The soaps can be ordered at www.thesoapsisters.co.uk.
Suicide is the biggest killer of young people in the UK. PAPYRUS aims to reduce the number of young people who take their own lives by breaking down the stigma around suicide and equipping people with the skills to recognise and respond to suicidal behaviour.
HOPELINEUK is the charity’s confidential helpline service providing practical advice and support to young people with thoughts of suicide and anyone concerned about a young person who may have thoughts of suicide.
HOPELINEUK is staffed by trained professionals, offering a telephone, text and email service.
For practical, confidential suicide prevention help and advice please contact PAPYRUS HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141, text 07860 039967 or email [email protected]
