Before you step onto a pitch, stage or court - you warm up. Before you fundraise - you understand the cause.

We’re the Campaign Against Living Miserably, or CALM to our mates.

We’re a suicide prevention charity dedicated to tackling the tragic rate of suicide in the UK.

That means standing against feeling hopeless, standing up to stereotypes, and standing together to show life is always worth living.

We provide life-saving services and practical mental health support to anyone who needs it.

£12.20 funds a potentially life-saving call to our free, anonymous helpline. Right now, we answer one every 59 seconds.

Your fundraising helps keep that line open - 365 days a year.

And it goes beyond the helpline.

It powers digital tools and guides that help us reach hundreds of thousands of people. And of course - the new CALMzone App. Free, and always will be. Putting simple ways to cope, reset and feel better into people’s hands, every day.

This isn’t just fundraising. It’s life-saving.

Your first move is to set up your MAKE NOISE, SAVE LIVES page on JustGiving. Click the orange 'Start Fundraising' button here. There’s even a personalisable photo banner you can add to your page - check out the downloadable kit in your bag.

It takes just a few minutes and means all your fundraising is in one place, ready to be transferred directly to CALM.

Add your story, set yourself a target and get that £12.20 donation ask front and centre.

You’re pumped, you're eager, and you’re ready to get going. Need a little inspiration to help you get off the starting line? Take a look below…

• 18 miles or km. Run it, walk it, crawl it.
• 18 minutes in the barber’s chair. Shave it, dye it, glitter it. We’re not fussy.
• 18 day ban. Beer, chocolate, Netflix. Something has to go.

• 90-minute match or tournament. Sporty or not, it doesn’t matter.
• 90-minute set. Music, comedy, poetry. Either way, just make it loud.
• 90-hour team relay. From triathlon to knitting to chess, just don’t stop.

Let’s cut through the awkwardness. Suicide is real, it’s happening, and we need to talk about it. But here’s the thing – suicide is not inevitable. It’s preventable. And talking about it can save lives and we all have a role to play.

What helps? Talking. Listening. Showing up.

You don’t need special training to help someone who’s struggling. You just need to care enough to ask the question – and stay with them when things get hard.

If you're worried about someone, you can:

Notice changes. Changes in mood, withdrawal, saying things like “what’s the point?” or “you’d be better off without me”.

Start a real conversation. “I’ve noticed you’ve not been yourself – do you want to talk?”

Ask directly. “Are you thinking about suicide?” – It’s a myth that asking will make it worse. Often, it’s a relief.

But remember:

If you don’t know what to say? Say that. Being honest and present matters more than saying the “perfect” thing.

Don’t deal with it alone. If you think someone you care about is struggling with suicidal thoughts, we have loads of resources for them, and our suicide prevention helpline is here for you and the person who’s struggling.

If it’s a young person that you’re worried about, our CARE Kit is the thing for you. You’ll find practical suicide prevention for every situation.

If you’ve ever felt like you couldn’t see a way forward, or you’ve been impacted by suicide in some way, talking about it can help change the conversation. But it’s important to keep it safe for you and your audience.

So here’s a few things to keep in mind…

Know your boundaries: Once it’s out there it’s out there; so take the time to decide ahead of time, what you’re comfortable sharing, how you want to share it and what you want to keep private.

Talk about suicide safely: Talking about suicide and sharing your experiences can create connection, reduce stigma, and help others access the support they need.

However, sharing specific details about method - the ways people attempt or take their own life - can be harmful and triggering.

When sharing your story, it’s okay to be honest and real about how you felt and what you went through. But try to avoid including specific details that could be distressing or make harmful information more accessible to others.

Give a heads-up: Always include a content warning when sharing mental health or suicide related content, so your audience can choose if they want to continue.

Focus on what’s kept you going: The hope. Your ‘why’. Your reason to stay. Think about what motivates you, what grounds you, what lifts you. However big or small, it all counts.

Always signpost support: Opening up the conversation is vital but it’s equally important that people know where to turn for support: https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support