Campaign Against Living Miserably - Shirley's Skiathalon

Shirley, a proud CALM ambassador, embarked on an adventurous journey to support the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM), driven by personal losses and a commitment to prevent others from enduring similar pain. Recognizing that 18 individuals in the UK take their own lives daily, Shirley’s dedication was aimed at changing this heartrending statistic. Her campaign’s goal was to raise funds and awareness to help CALM continue its life-saving work.

Shirley’s Skyathlon: The event, spanning over several days in August, included daring activities:

  • Tuesday 8 August: Fastest zipline in the world at Penrhyn Quarry.
  • Thursday 10 August: Wing walking, reaching speeds up to 110mph.
  • Saturday 12 August: Skydiving from 13,000 feet.

About CALM: The Campaign Against Living Miserably is dedicated to preventing suicide in the UK, where 125 people take their own lives each week. CALM offers support, initiates campaigns for cultural change, and unites people across the country to fight against living miserably.

Media Engagement: BBC Breakfast, This Morning, and GMB covered each stage of the skyathlon, providing extensive exposure. Shirley’s follow-up interview on BBC Breakfast featured a surprise guest, her mother, resulting in widespread media attention and social media engagement.

Results: The campaign raised £46,669, surpassing the £20,000 target, with the support of 1,401 donors. Broadcast coverage included multiple appearances on major national platforms:

Regional Engagements: In-depth coverage by regional stations amplified the campaign’s message:

  • BBC Leicester
  • BBC Solent
  • BBC Wiltshire
  • BBC Devon
  • BBC Northampton
  • BBC Scotland
  • Heat and Closer Magazine
  • BBC Nottingham
  • BBC Channel Islands
  • BBC Radio Tees
  • BBC Shropshire
  • BBC Newcastle
  • BBC WM
  • BBC Hereford and Worcester
  • BBC Jersey
  • BBC Three Counties

Shirley’s Skiathalon for CALM was a monumental success, significantly contributing to the fight against suicide. The campaign not only raised substantial funds but also increased awareness of CALM’s crucial work, engaging a wide audience through national media coverage. Shirley’s courage and dedication highlighted the importance of supporting mental health initiatives and opened conversations around suicide prevention.

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