MP backs former Spalding students' marathon challenge with questions to the House

MP Sir John Hayes is backing three former Spalding Grammar School students as they attempt to complete a London Marathon weighed down by 20 kilos of weight.

Friends Mario Fragale, Oliver Shore and Max Pearce, who have been friends since school, will be embarking on a weighted marathon, which will see them run 26 miles with 20kg of weight on each of their backs.

They will be aided by Matt Pearson and Matt Holland, who also met the friends at the school.

The impressive endeavour is in aid of mental health charity, Ripple Suicide Prevention, which aims to reduce exposure to harmful online content and encourage mental health support.

Mario, who is working as a musician, previously said: “We all know people who have been affected by the impact Covid has had on mental health. I’ve seen it in the music industry and Oliver has seen it in his job in the British Army.

“When we heard about Ripple Suicide Prevention we thought it was such a good thing so we thought we would try to help to raise some funds.”

With 1.2 million internet searches relating to suicidal material every month, Sir John says it is clear legislators must do more to provide support and assistance, whilst clamping down on misinformation.

He said: "Each of our lives is touched by moments of sadness, joy and despair.

"But in an internet age, too often moments of vulnerability and trial are amplified or intensified by misleading and dangerous content online, turning sadness into despair which ends in tragedy.

"That’s why the work of Ripple is so important, and I am proud to support the sterling work of Mario, Oliver and Max as they run to raise money for this worthy cause."

While in Westminster this week, Sir John submitted three Parliamentary Questions to the Secretary of State for Health, designed to raise the profile of this issue and encourage the Government to take further action.

He asked the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care what publicly funded counselling services are available to those experiencing mental health challenges, what steps he is taking to block websites which promote misinformation and encourage suicide and what support his department is providing to families affected by suicide.