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Three Dads Walking: 300 Miles of Hope
These three dads would rather have never met. Strangers bound by grief, they joined together to save lives and became a national inspiration - one step at a time. This is their incredible journey.
In memory of their young daughters - Sophie, Beth and Emily - who took their own lives, three dads set out on a 300-mile journey across the country, from the windswept Lakeland fells and Peak District dales to the open plains of the eastern Fens. Putting one foot in front of the other in spite of their pain, they capture the hearts of millions: laughing together, crying together, fighting to be heard. With each hill climbed and story shared, they begin to rediscover their faith in humanity and are inspired by the kindness of strangers across the land.
Woven around personal diary entries and their own experiences of deep grief, this book, told in three distinct parts by each dad, grows into a beacon of hope for anyone struggling. Itʼs about the power of speaking out, of friendship, laughter and courage (and blisters). The three dads bear a heavy load, but they walk on for us all, finding light on the path after the darkest times.
In memory of their young daughters - Sophie, Beth and Emily - who took their own lives, three dads set out on a 300-mile journey across the country, from the windswept Lakeland fells and Peak District dales to the open plains of the eastern Fens. Putting one foot in front of the other in spite of their pain, they capture the hearts of millions: laughing together, crying together, fighting to be heard. With each hill climbed and story shared, they begin to rediscover their faith in humanity and are inspired by the kindness of strangers across the land.
Woven around personal diary entries and their own experiences of deep grief, this book, told in three distinct parts by each dad, grows into a beacon of hope for anyone struggling. Itʼs about the power of speaking out, of friendship, laughter and courage (and blisters). The three dads bear a heavy load, but they walk on for us all, finding light on the path after the darkest times.
- GenresAudiobook
339 pages, Hardcover
Published April 4, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 21, 2025
An inspirational book, three dads walking to raise awareness of suicide amongst young people. Three dads who have lost three daughters and have joined the club which none of us wants to belong to. I shed a few tears reading this.
August 16, 2024
If you have the means, listen to this on audio. Hearing the dad’s voices, along with a song written and performed by one of their daughter’s made this one of the most poignant books I have read/listened to. The dads share such an important message, of the need to talk, of the need to be able to seek help but also one of love and hope. Beautiful.
January 25, 2026
This is a really powerful story of despair and loss turned into hope and a movement.
The stories of each dad’s loss was a really hard read and so raw. But what they came to do and those who came out to talk and support them is inspiring.
I could not agree more suicide is not spoken about enough, especially in schools. The only fix is education and action so that young people, middle aged and older know where to go to in times of need.
The stories of each dad’s loss was a really hard read and so raw. But what they came to do and those who came out to talk and support them is inspiring.
I could not agree more suicide is not spoken about enough, especially in schools. The only fix is education and action so that young people, middle aged and older know where to go to in times of need.
February 19, 2025
Sad, inspiring and brave to tell the story of suicide
April 3, 2026
Such an inspiring story from such tragic circumstances. ❤️
July 30, 2024
An amazing journey of 3 dads who lost their daughters to suicide. Tim, Andy, and Mike walked 300 miles to raise awareness of teenage suicides.
Although the book is cleverly set up by giving each dad a section of the book (and route) with their personal story (and each suicide is different), it still tends to become slightly repetitive. I also got lost track of people they met and re-met at times.
However, it is still a hopeful but heartbreaking read, which every dad (and mum) should read.
Although the book is cleverly set up by giving each dad a section of the book (and route) with their personal story (and each suicide is different), it still tends to become slightly repetitive. I also got lost track of people they met and re-met at times.
However, it is still a hopeful but heartbreaking read, which every dad (and mum) should read.
April 12, 2024
Heartbreaking journey of Three Dad's who wanted to raise awareness of suicide in young people after losing their 3 daughters. Inspirational
November 10, 2025
Listening and reading to Three Dads Walking: 300 miles of hope by Mike Palmer, Tim Owen, Andy Airey.
I first came across this book by accident. Our seventeen year old creative autistic daughter who was twelve or thirteen at the time was being home educated due to the covid pandemic.
She's been drawing since she was two years old. She was looking through a newspaper for someone who she could draw. She was drawn to a beautiful autistic girl called Emily who ended her life due to the covid pandemic as she couldn't cope with changes. I thought to myself what if that was my daughter.
She drew a beautiful picture of Emily without knowing any of the details at that time.
Our daughter has studied mental health & wellbeing, and growth mindset as part of her secondary ASN school curriculum.
Some of the issues the school has talked about: alcohol and drugs. I think mature students would benefit from talking about this sensitive subject.
I'm so proud of all the dads who came together during this difficult time, supporting each other while spending time in nature.
I think there should be walking groups in your area similar to a running club while connecting with other people and feeling safe outside, especially if you're a woman and for people that don't drive.
I first came across this book by accident. Our seventeen year old creative autistic daughter who was twelve or thirteen at the time was being home educated due to the covid pandemic.
She's been drawing since she was two years old. She was looking through a newspaper for someone who she could draw. She was drawn to a beautiful autistic girl called Emily who ended her life due to the covid pandemic as she couldn't cope with changes. I thought to myself what if that was my daughter.
She drew a beautiful picture of Emily without knowing any of the details at that time.
Our daughter has studied mental health & wellbeing, and growth mindset as part of her secondary ASN school curriculum.
Some of the issues the school has talked about: alcohol and drugs. I think mature students would benefit from talking about this sensitive subject.
I'm so proud of all the dads who came together during this difficult time, supporting each other while spending time in nature.
I think there should be walking groups in your area similar to a running club while connecting with other people and feeling safe outside, especially if you're a woman and for people that don't drive.
May 26, 2025
Inspiring and emotional but hugely informative too
October 24, 2024
I’m a 60 year old wife, mum and grandma, you don’t get to my age without knowing someone who has been effected by suicide, I have friends who have lost children, my daughter has had school friends and my husband lost quite a close friend all to suicide. I didn’ know the extent of suicide until reading this book. As sad as this book sounds it is also uplifting at times. Every dad’s story is different however has the same heartbreaking ending. The 300 mile walk is the least important part of their story but it’s what brings the story together, the people they meet and the obstacles they are up against when foot paths closed, bad conditions and spiteful winds. They did it though whilst comforting other people grieving, walking with other effected people and raising so much money for Papyrus , who I’d never heard about until reading this book, to tell the truth I hadn’t even heard of these 3 dads. But I am so glad I did, I learned so much . Can you believe suicide is the biggest killer of under 35 year olds, if we think someone is contemplating suicide we should ask them straight out, and we should definitely guide them to help. This book is not only beautifully written, it informative and it’s important. I won’t say I didn’t shed tears , because I did, however I’d recommend this to everyone .. now I’m going to do more research into Papyrus, thank you 3 dads for bringing this to our attention.
April 19, 2026
The book follows Mike, Andy and Tim through their 300 mile walk from the Lakeland Fells to the Eastern Fens over 15 days. Each of the dads take a third of the book and each third is started with the story of their daughters, Sophie, Emily and Beth (arguably the hardest chapters to listen to!).
Each of the dads do a great job of narrating their walk and (as I've recently explained to a friend) the book is a perfect mix between a history/ geography lesson and their life stories - you get a great mix of really understanding of their individual stories with a sprinkle of the great UK countryside! You can tell from the outset that these guys are just "genuine blokes" with Mike's love of Cumbria then throughout the book with the joy they all have with taking the other two dads on a tour of their local areas!
It was joyous to listen to them discuss all of the people who joined them on the walk, each with their own stories, and how the support of those people really spured them on - as well as their story being a support to each person who walked with them. I just loved the community feel throughout the whole book!! Part of the reason they walked was to get the conversation started and that was so evident throughout the book - all they wanted to do was talk and to reach everyone they could (as well as getting through each day!).
It was funny to listen to each dad narrate the days from a slightly different perspective - with them all clearly having defined roles throughout their challenge - this was most evident at the end of the book when they all narrated their last day. As you can imagine there was a fair bit of tension at times througout the walk and disagreements about the best course of action - which they seemed to be able to navigate quite well! Again with support from locals stopping them, the dads took advice on where to get some shorter routes and how to avoid wet paths!
It was evident throughout the book that despite it being an amazing achievement to walk the 300 miles they did... this was not the point of their story. What they wanted was to raise awareness, get people talking and to raise the presence of PAPYRUS. As on the back of their book... "it's about the power of speaking out, friendship, laughter and courage (and blisters). The three dads bear a heavy load, but they walk on for all of us, finding light on the path after the darkest of times".
Five years on from their 300 miles walk they are still making an impact to this day, not just with their book, or the money raised, they are continuing to campaign for suicide to be a part of the national curriculum, keeping conversations open and encouraging people to reach out in times of needs - whether contemplating ending their own lives or being one of the ones left in the wake of such a tragedy.
I am obviously rating this book 5/5 stars - I cannot thank the dads enough for another amazing piece fo work and I hope people continue to look into them and support!
Whether you have been touched by suicide or not, I believe this book is definitely one everyone should take the time to read. To learn from and grow from the words of Mike, Andy and Tim. We should take from their stories and should continue to strive for better support out there for those in times of need and should continue to encourage people to reach out when needing support.
Each of the dads do a great job of narrating their walk and (as I've recently explained to a friend) the book is a perfect mix between a history/ geography lesson and their life stories - you get a great mix of really understanding of their individual stories with a sprinkle of the great UK countryside! You can tell from the outset that these guys are just "genuine blokes" with Mike's love of Cumbria then throughout the book with the joy they all have with taking the other two dads on a tour of their local areas!
It was joyous to listen to them discuss all of the people who joined them on the walk, each with their own stories, and how the support of those people really spured them on - as well as their story being a support to each person who walked with them. I just loved the community feel throughout the whole book!! Part of the reason they walked was to get the conversation started and that was so evident throughout the book - all they wanted to do was talk and to reach everyone they could (as well as getting through each day!).
It was funny to listen to each dad narrate the days from a slightly different perspective - with them all clearly having defined roles throughout their challenge - this was most evident at the end of the book when they all narrated their last day. As you can imagine there was a fair bit of tension at times througout the walk and disagreements about the best course of action - which they seemed to be able to navigate quite well! Again with support from locals stopping them, the dads took advice on where to get some shorter routes and how to avoid wet paths!
It was evident throughout the book that despite it being an amazing achievement to walk the 300 miles they did... this was not the point of their story. What they wanted was to raise awareness, get people talking and to raise the presence of PAPYRUS. As on the back of their book... "it's about the power of speaking out, friendship, laughter and courage (and blisters). The three dads bear a heavy load, but they walk on for all of us, finding light on the path after the darkest of times".
Five years on from their 300 miles walk they are still making an impact to this day, not just with their book, or the money raised, they are continuing to campaign for suicide to be a part of the national curriculum, keeping conversations open and encouraging people to reach out in times of needs - whether contemplating ending their own lives or being one of the ones left in the wake of such a tragedy.
I am obviously rating this book 5/5 stars - I cannot thank the dads enough for another amazing piece fo work and I hope people continue to look into them and support!
Whether you have been touched by suicide or not, I believe this book is definitely one everyone should take the time to read. To learn from and grow from the words of Mike, Andy and Tim. We should take from their stories and should continue to strive for better support out there for those in times of need and should continue to encourage people to reach out when needing support.
April 27, 2024
Beautiful book by three Dads, Andy, Mike and Tim, directly impacted and deeply affected by the suicides of their three young daughters, Sophie, Beth and Emily.
Determined to raise awareness and actively (quite literally) do something to proactively help others, encourage an open conversation around suicide and channel their grief; they decided to walk the distance of their three houses from Cumbria to Manchester to Norfolk to fundraise for the suicide prevention charity, Papyrus raising vital funds.
I often felt like I was on the journey with the Dads and really got to know them and their daughters. It was wonderful to read about the impact their efforts had on so many others around the country, and world, and helped many talk about their own experiences and bereavements.
I sobbed as well as chuckled at times but I have no doubt that this book will save lives as it’ll help encourage others be kinder, listen more and ask questions.
Highly recommend.
Determined to raise awareness and actively (quite literally) do something to proactively help others, encourage an open conversation around suicide and channel their grief; they decided to walk the distance of their three houses from Cumbria to Manchester to Norfolk to fundraise for the suicide prevention charity, Papyrus raising vital funds.
I often felt like I was on the journey with the Dads and really got to know them and their daughters. It was wonderful to read about the impact their efforts had on so many others around the country, and world, and helped many talk about their own experiences and bereavements.
I sobbed as well as chuckled at times but I have no doubt that this book will save lives as it’ll help encourage others be kinder, listen more and ask questions.
Highly recommend.
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May 28, 2026moving and inspiring story about three dads walking to raise awareness about suicide and suicidal prevention esp among young people.
the campaign is really inspiring, it do make me realise the power of openness, how talking to others can empower the bereaved ones to move forward.
it would be nicer if the book could dive more into the conversations, what they discovered about themselves and others, what still challenged them, what made them keep moving, etc. the description of the journey, the routes they take is very detailed, as if im watching a documentary of their journey, yet it might be a bit too much name dropping and over detailed.
the campaign is really inspiring, it do make me realise the power of openness, how talking to others can empower the bereaved ones to move forward.
it would be nicer if the book could dive more into the conversations, what they discovered about themselves and others, what still challenged them, what made them keep moving, etc. the description of the journey, the routes they take is very detailed, as if im watching a documentary of their journey, yet it might be a bit too much name dropping and over detailed.
July 10, 2024
A great biography of 3 men who gathered and became friends due to tragedies in their lives from their daughters suicides.
This was such an inspirational story and I really enjoyed joining them on their journey 300 miles to raise awareness of Young Suicides' and the charities related to those that they sought help and advice from in their times of need. As with all stories of this nature, it was difficult to read in places but what really made this such an inspirational story is reading about the people they met on their walk, the members of the public who helped them constantly with food, water or just support during their back breaking effort.
A great read and a lovely story.
This was such an inspirational story and I really enjoyed joining them on their journey 300 miles to raise awareness of Young Suicides' and the charities related to those that they sought help and advice from in their times of need. As with all stories of this nature, it was difficult to read in places but what really made this such an inspirational story is reading about the people they met on their walk, the members of the public who helped them constantly with food, water or just support during their back breaking effort.
A great read and a lovely story.
November 30, 2024
Everyone should read this book. First saw the story on BBC breakfast. Heartbreaking read about 3 dads battling grief and inspiring the nation to be more open about suicide, the biggest killer of people under 35. The healing power of walking. You felt their pain as you followed their walk to each house but also the difference they were making.
July 19, 2024
A hard read. But what these dads have done is phenomenal, raising awareness of suicide in young people whilst struggling to comes to terms with their own daughters suicides. I have the utmost respect for them and would be interested in knowing what else they do.
May 7, 2024
Absolutely phenomenal. I cried so so much (have lots of tissues ready!) but so inspiring. These three men are utterly outstanding and such an inspiration.
May 20, 2024
Incredible men doing an incredible thing🩵
Everyone should read this, spread the word and keep fighting for better education in schools.
As expected an emotional read, but one full of hope.
Thank you for sharing your story🤍
Everyone should read this, spread the word and keep fighting for better education in schools.
As expected an emotional read, but one full of hope.
Thank you for sharing your story🤍
July 10, 2024
Moving and well written. I hope the issues raised will remain in the public eye and be helpful to young people and their families .
May 18, 2025
an amazing and truly inspirational book.
September 19, 2024
I do not think I can ever put into words just how much this book tugged on my heart strings, I cried, I laughed and I opened up my mind. I have never met nor spoken to these men but in my eyes they are hero’s and they have done their daughters so proud, leaving a legacy for them.
I listened to this book via Spotify premiums audiobook section and I have to say if you have the means to listen to the audiobook version then it should be a requirement. The emotion in the dad’s voices when they speak so openly about their experiences of grief after losing their daughters to suicide is something that sends shivers down my spine and tears down my eyes. This book is powerful, being able to listen to one of the daughter’s songs that they had written as part of the audiobook just blew me away. The emotion I felt from the book and then the song just had me absolutely crushed with emotion. I can only begin to imagine the 3 dad’s pain.
What they’ve been able to do for the suicide prevention movement is inspirational, the three strangers who all lost a daughter to suicide took on such an emotional challenge for so many reasons. I have never met these men but they are my hero’s, they give me strength and courage to carry on each day. I have rethought many things since reading this book and the first thing I do is think about their story.
Honestly I cannot express my thoughts as I feel so deeply connected to this book and to what they are doing for suicide prevention on a very personal level but if you are contemplating reading this book then please do not hesitate too!
We need more open conversations around suicide and mental illness and this book is a brilliant place to start. I will recommend this to anyone I speak to if they need a book to read and when I get my bookcase when li, myself get well again this book will be bought and placed pride of place on that shelf. I highly recommend!
I listened to this book via Spotify premiums audiobook section and I have to say if you have the means to listen to the audiobook version then it should be a requirement. The emotion in the dad’s voices when they speak so openly about their experiences of grief after losing their daughters to suicide is something that sends shivers down my spine and tears down my eyes. This book is powerful, being able to listen to one of the daughter’s songs that they had written as part of the audiobook just blew me away. The emotion I felt from the book and then the song just had me absolutely crushed with emotion. I can only begin to imagine the 3 dad’s pain.
What they’ve been able to do for the suicide prevention movement is inspirational, the three strangers who all lost a daughter to suicide took on such an emotional challenge for so many reasons. I have never met these men but they are my hero’s, they give me strength and courage to carry on each day. I have rethought many things since reading this book and the first thing I do is think about their story.
Honestly I cannot express my thoughts as I feel so deeply connected to this book and to what they are doing for suicide prevention on a very personal level but if you are contemplating reading this book then please do not hesitate too!
We need more open conversations around suicide and mental illness and this book is a brilliant place to start. I will recommend this to anyone I speak to if they need a book to read and when I get my bookcase when li, myself get well again this book will be bought and placed pride of place on that shelf. I highly recommend!
May 30, 2024
Amazing book full of emotion. Highlighting suicide in the young. Powerful and deeply moving.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews