Three Dads Walking: 300 Miles of Hope

by Tim Owen, Mike Palmer, Andy Airey

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.

Genres: Audiobook

339 pages, Hardcover

Published April 4, 2024

Reviews

[Sherrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Chloë Keljarrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Linda Van roo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad, inspiring and brave to tell the story of suicide

[Wouter · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Kathryn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking journey of Three Dad's who wanted to raise awareness of suicide in young people after losing their 3 daughters. Inspirational

[Suzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Judith Clay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring and emotional but hugely informative too

[tracey cloxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Charlotte Biddle · Rating 5 out of 5]

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. 

[Georgie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Laura Wyllie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Lauren Barclay · Rating 5 out of 5]

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🤍

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moving and well written. I hope the issues raised will remain in the public eye and be helpful to young people and their families .

[Catherine Wilkinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

an amazing and truly inspirational book.

[Jordan (jordanbeavenblogs) · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book full of emotion. Highlighting suicide in the young. Powerful and deeply moving.