Duo backed by 25 sponsors as they plan huge charity ball in memory of friends who tragically took their own lives

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Two friends from northern Lincolnshire who tragically lost their school friend Leo to suicide have partnered with more than 25 local organisations for a huge charity ball held in his memory on the 10th anniversary of his death.

Since March last year, Michael Trueman from Scunthorpe and James Smith from Grimsby have been organising the ‘Can’t Stand Me Now’ charity ball, which will be held at The Baths Hall in Scunthorpe at 7pm on Saturday, March 23.

After a year in the making, the ball has been sponsored by 25 local organisations, including schools, businesses, NHS healthcare providers, law firms and sports teams, all to raise money for Prevention of Young Suicide (PAPYRUS), the leading UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people.

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Michael and James decided to organise the huge event to mark the 10-year anniversary of their Caistor Grammar School friend, Leo Adamson, who died in 2014, and their friend Oliver, who also took his own life. They named the ball ‘Can’t Stand Me Now’ in a nod to a song by one of Leo’s favourite bands, The Libertines. All proceeds from the night will go directly to PAPYRUS.

Michael said: “We’ve been organising the ball for the best part of a year, and are really grateful for the support from our friends, family and sponsors. Without all of these people we wouldn’t have been able to reduce our ticket price to £50, nor get close to organising what is lining up to be a really successful and busy event.

“We were delighted to announce more than 200 confirmed attendees last week, with many more expected to buy tickets last minute.”

The Baths Hall in Scunthorpe
(Image: Donna Clifford)

Guests at the event are asked to “dress to impress”, with a three-course meal, live music by Flat Moon and the Uptones, a charity raffle and much more entertainment promised.

Michael continued: “A good event for me is for awareness to be raised, and for people to enjoy spending time with their friends and family. The better we’re able to talk about issues such as suicide, and be able to support initiatives such as Papyrus’ Hopeline, the better outcomes we can have for young people struggling with thoughts of suicide.”

The deadline to buy tickets for the ‘Can’t Stand Me Now’ charity ball is at midnight on Sunday, March 17. Individual tickets cost £50 each and can be purchased here.

HOPELINE247 is a confidential support and advice service by PAPYRUS for children and young people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, or anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide.

If you are having thoughts of suicide or are concerned for a young person who might be you can contact HOPELINE247 for confidential support and practical advice. Call: 0800 068 4141, Text: 07860 039 967 or Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org.

Original artice: https://www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/all-about/scunthorpe

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Duo backed by 25 sponsors as they plan huge charity ball in memory of friends who tragically took their own lives

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