AN EAST Yorkshire mum is to take part in a mammoth running challenge in memory of her daughter, who killed herself.
Ann Holmes' adopted daughter, Daisy, was just 16 when she killed herself in November last year.
Following her death, Ann and her partner Carol have encouraged youngsters to learn lessons from their tragedy and have been working with the charity Prevention of Young Suicide (Papyrus) to help raise awareness.
Now, sixth form students at Wolfreton School, where Ann works, are supporting her as she prepares to run 62 miles from London to Brighton for Papyrus on Saturday, May 24.
Ann said: "Daisy liked running and wanted to do the Jane Tomlinson 10k one day.
"I would have run it with her.
"We have had happy holidays in London and Brighton and to honour Daisy's memory and, hopefully, make a difference to another young person I am taking on this challenge."
The sixth form students have chosen to either run, cycle or row a mile to help raise funds for their psychology teacher.
Ann has been training intensively for the day since January and has already run seven marathons.
She said: "Running 62 miles in one go means a long time on my feet and I'm really hoping my training will be enough to get me to Brighton with a smile on my face."
Ann hopes that by raising awareness she will help more young people to choose to live rather than take their own lives when they feel they are not coping.
"I am doing this for Daisy and to help Papyrus reach more young people through its excellent work," Ann said.
"The Papyrus national helpline HOPELineUK allows young people to be honest about how they are feeling so they don't have to put on a brave face and know that it is ok to not feel ok at times. It offers confidential help and hope to those who feel they are not coping."
Wolfreton head girl Becky Wickenden was just one of many students who took part in the school's mile challenge.
Becky, 18, said: "I have seen the effect this has had on Mrs Holmes and so I wanted to support her and help to raise the profile of Papyrus.
"It was the sixth form council's decision to support the charity and as Mrs Holmes is running 62 miles from London to Brighton for the charity we decided we wanted to match or exceed those 62 miles, by running, rowing or biking in the upper school gym.
"We have asked sixth form students for a £1 donation per mile they complete and 50p for anybody who wants to support in the gym."
Student Aaron Pinkus said: "We are really pleased we can do something to support such a good cause and this is something that is close to us and very worthwhile."
Ann, who has worked at Wolfreton since September, said: "I am really touched that the students have been so very supportive of me and the charity.
"It's a great place to work. Staff and students have been so kind."
Raising awarenessAanika Dhillon, fundraising campaign manager at Papyrus Prevention of Young Suicide, said: "The London2Brighton Challenge is an amazing effort by Ann, helping us to raise awareness that suicide can be prevented and extend our work with young people in schools and the community, encouraging them to talk about mental wellbeing and, above all, to seek help in dark times."
Anyone wishing to support Ann can visit justgiving.com/daisyholmes, where more information is available.
