Campaigners who received national acclaim after launching an online petition to include suicide prevention on the national curriculum have been shortlisted for a national award. 

The group, known as Three Dads Walking, started the petition after their daughters died by suicide. 

Tim Owen, from Shouldham near King's Lynn, formed the campaign group with Andy Airey and Mike Palmer, in memory of daughters, 19-year-old Emily Owen, Sophie Airey, 29, and Beth Palmer, 17.

The trio secured a debate in Westminster Hall after setting up a petition which 160,000 people signed. 

Now they have been nominated by MPs for the Petitioner of the Year award.

Eastern Daily Press: (Left tor right) Tim Owen, from Shouldham, Andy Airey, from Cumbria, and Mike Palmer, from

Collectively, the trio said: “We are delighted that our campaign has been nominated. 

“The petition played a key part in our campaign. It was the central theme of our walk in 2022 and ultimately led to a debate in parliament.   

“Without the petition and the support of the Petitions Committee we wouldn’t be on the brink of achieving our aim.”   

The Petitions Committee, a cross-party group of MPs, nominated three campaigns for the Petitioner of the Year award.  

The other two petitions up for the award include Jade’s Law and Owen’s Law. 

Cat Smith MP, the chair of the Petitions Committee, said: “I have seen first-hand the incredible campaigning of these three groups of petitioners.   

“The work that each of them put in into their campaigns, often beginning in times of grief, has led to positive changes across the country. 

“I want to pay tribute to each of them and wish them luck.”  

The winner will take part in a ceremony in the House of Commons on March 25. 

  • Samaritans can be contacted for free on 116 123, emailed at jo@samaritans.org, or visited at www.samaritans.org