Parents describe their grief after teenage daughter dies

Darcy’s parents have organised a 62-mile (100km) trek across the Sahara Desert in her memory to raise awareness and money for Papyrus, a suicide prevention charity.

Michael said they had chosen to trek across the desert for the fundraising challenge because he and Darcy had taken a hot air balloon ride above it to celebrate her 16th birthday.

“It’s one of my treasured moments of my life now because we can’t repeat it,” he added.

He said managing mental health and walking the Sahara Desert were very similar.

“Mental health is such a tough journey to navigate and walking the Sahara Desert is a tough trek – the analogies are there.

“You think you might be going at such a pace you might be able to reach miles, but you’ve only gone half-a-mile because it’s so tough.

“It’s the same with mental health.

“This journey is a tribute to Darcy and a message to the world that even in the harshest desert, a way forward can still be found.”

The couple, who have organised many other fundraisers over the years, have invited people to join them on the five-day trek in November, with the aim to raise £100,000 for Papyrus.

“It’s not just about raising the money, it’s about creating awareness, breaking down the stigma of suicide because nobody likes to talk about it,” Debbie said.