Man organises firefighter walk for suicide awareness

A man who lost his brother to suicide has organised a walk with firefighters from London to Brighton to raise money and awareness.

Jeremy Dutfield, a sub-contractor for Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), will be walking from Purley Fire Station to a pub near Brighton Pier alongside more than a dozen firefighters on 13 April.

Mr Dutfield arranged the walk to raise money for The Fire Fighters Charity, which he said had provided "invaluable" support after his brother died.

"It's just so important for people to understand they're not on their own," he said.

As well as losing his brother to suicide, both of Mr Dutfield's parents also died within the same six-month period.

"My life had hit a very low place," Mr Dutfield said.

But he said he had been surrounded by "love and support" from firefighters at SFRS and the charity, which provides mental health and wellbeing support.

"They've literally taken me in as one of their own, they've looked after me," he said.

"There is always someone or something that can help you."

Mr Dutfield will be wearing a firefighter's uniform for the walk, alongside the firefighters at SFRS and their route from Purley to Brighton will be via Redhill and Gatwick.

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