A KIDDERMINSTER man is walking from the town to Westminster to raise awareness for a petition for improved mental health services for young people in memory of his ‘amazing’ son Mitch.
On Easter Sunday, 2019, Robert Collins’ son Mitch lost his battle with his mental health aged just 16.
The idea for Mitch’s Law was created by his parents, Rob and Lisa, soon after so no young person would be left without support.
Rob announced the walk to Downing Street to hand deliver the petition at Mitch’s wake.
The petition has since gained over 13,500 signatures and Rob and his family are preparing to submit it to Parliament.
Rob began his walk from Mitch’s school bench at Wolverley Secondary School on Saturday.
The walk to Parliament will take around two weeks and is aimed at raising awareness of the petition and young people’s mental health.
In roughly three months’ time, Mitch’s loved ones will return to Parliament to hand deliver the petition.
Rob and Lisa said: “On Easter Sunday 2019, our beautiful youngest son Mitch lost his battle with his own challenges regarding his mental health – this was a day that changed our lives forever.
“Mitch was an amazing person, always trying to help his friends and making people laugh.
“They say a smile hides everything.
“Since then, we have been campaigning for Mitch’s Law, which aims to provide a cross political party commitment to provide funding to address the rise in our young people suffering with matters regarding their mental health.
“Our hope is that Mitch’s Law, if approved, will provide a funding pot to allow charity mental health care workers to be situated on-site in schools.
“This will provide early intervention and reduce the long waiting referrals.
“Please help us to bring in Mitch’s Law by signing our petition.”
Over the past week, Rob has walked to Chaddesley Corbett, Bromsgrove, Studley, Haselor and Stratford-upon-Avon.
If the walk continues on schedule, he will end the week in Kiddington.
It is expected Rob will arrive at Downing Street next Saturday, April 11.
Rob is keeping people posted on his journey via his Facebook page.
Visit: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100041721106079 to follow Rob’s journey.
And go to: change.org/p/uk-parliament-change-to-services-regarding-young-people-s-mental-health? to sign the petition.
