A FAMILY fun day to raise awareness and funds for a charity that aims to prevent young people committing suicide will be held in Rawtenstall on July 5.

Following the deaths of 13-year-olds Declan Gatenby from Stacksteads, and Henry Tattersall from Newchurch last year, organisers have decided to hold the event in aid of Papyrus in the town square.

Organiser Suzanne Brannan said: “Papyrus is an amazing charity offering help and support to such young people, as well as those who may be concerned about them.

“After speaking with friends, I thought that if an adult hadn’t heard of Papyrus then we can’t assume teenagers would have.

“We are doing this to save young lives. In the UK more than 1,600 young people under 35 take their own lives every year. That is outrageous.”

The event will feature a variety of stalls, food, school choir and dance schools, local bands, inflatables, puppet workshop, street magic, fairground rides, birds of prey, a host of raffle prizes, and Burnley FC’s Bertie Bee will be buzzing in between 10am and 11am.