Every voice that stands up speaks for Bailey - uncle of tragic animal lover gets Parliament approval
Bailey was just 22 years young when he lost his life.
The uncle of tragic animal lover Bailey Lister has announced that he has been granted Parliament approval for his petition to make cyberbullying a standalone criminal offence and raise mental health funding.
Bailey Lister, 22, was tragically found dead in May this year.
In the weeks leading up to his death he had suffered a relentless online campaign of bullying which friends claim lasted for months, with those closest to him insisting that the criticism escalated around the time Bailey was evicted from land in Hambleton which he used to run his charity Hugo's Small Animal Sanctuary.
However, Lancashire Police have since confirmed that Bailey was NOT being investigated for any wrongdoing.
His heartbroken uncle Luke Lister has pushed through his grief to use it as a platform to stamp out bullying and prevent it happening to another family by launching a petition.
Providing an exciting update on his petition he said that it has now been granted approval by Parliament, but that every voice and signature matters in getting to the next stage.
He said: “When I got the email I so overwhelmed with so much excitement and joy I cant wait to get the ball rolling.
“Please take a little time to read what the petition is about and what we are aiming to get out of it. Please let's stand together and get this petition in place because noone should have to deal with what myself,my family and who ever knew Bailey have endured.
“Every share, every signature, and every voice that stands up speaks for Bailey and for so many others who’ve been silenced.”
He added: “By spreading this petition far and wide, we’re not just asking for change — we’re building a movement that says online cruelty has real consequences, and that no family should ever have to grieve because lies were allowed to spread unchecked.
“Getting a law named in Bailey’s honour would mean his story becomes more than a memory: it becomes a lasting promise that his life mattered, that his pain was not in vain, and that future generations will be better protected from the harm that took him from us.
Inquest
An inquest into the death of 22-year-old animal lover Bailey Joe Lister who took his life following an online campaign of persecution concluded at Blackpool Town Hall.
The kind-hearted animal rescuer who was known fondly as the Dr Doolittle of animals took his own life in May after a relentless campaign of online bullying.
Assistant Coroner Louisa Rae called him a “gentleman” who lived with his housemate.
She said he had a recent history of mental health issues and had experienced deteriorating mental health in the months prior to his death.
On 7 May 2026, he was sadly found hanged by his housemate at the home they shared.
A verdict of suicide was recorded.
You can sign Luke’s petition here
HELP IS AVAILABLE
If you have been affected by online abuse and are struggling with your mental health, there are a number of free helplines available.
Here are some of the groups you can contact :
Samaritans: 116 123.
PAPYRUS: Suicide prevention charity - 0800 068 4141.
National Bullying Helpline - 0300 323 0169.