Pride over interest in suicide prevention awareness walk

MoveMENt and Get Warrington Talking are hosting a ‘darkness into the light’ walk next month to help end the stigma around talking about mental health.

Walking from night-time into the morning from Widnes to Warrington, the walk symbolises that there can be a move from dark to light, or from despair to hope.

Organisers recently sought volunteers to take part in the event, which was first held last year and proved popular.

And they were left emotional after all places were snapped up within days of the sign-up process opening.

Publicity of the walk also resulted in four people struggling with their mental health reaching out for help.

Organisers emotional following huge interest in suicide prevention awareness walk

Posting on social media, MoveMENt said: “When the message from Eventbrite landed in my emails last night, I unashamedly sat and cried in the Chinese restaurant I was sat in.

“I cried because there is a beauty in the people of Warrington and beyond. I am so grateful to you all.

“I cried because like last year, this will be an amazing walk filled with stories, some tears and reflection.

“But it will also carry hope, light and provide some education to help us intervene effectively to prevent suicide.

“I cried because the publicity of the walk and your sharing of it has allowed four people who were desperately struggling to reach out to us and be signposted to further support.

“That is the power of community – when we come together, we create something bigger and more powerful than the sum of our parts.”

Despite all places on the walk being snapped up, organisers have been working to get more walk leaders and stewards to allow the number of people taking part to be extended.

Organisers emotional following huge interest in suicide prevention awareness walk

As a result, the walk is no longer fully booked, and if you would like to take part, visit eventbrite.co.uk/e/darkness-into-the-light-walk-world-suicide-prevention-day-fri-10th-sep-tickets-167452429725

The event, which takes place on September 10 to mark World Suicide Prevention Day, will see participants walk as a group from the DCBL Stadium in Widnes at 2.30am along the scenic banks of the River Mersey and the Sankey Canal.

There will be several pitstops before arriving at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, where members will hear a number of short stories that testify that the move from darkness to light is possible.

A beautiful song of hope will be performed by a local singer-songwriter and wellbeing advocate before the group shares breakfast barms, porridge and a warm drink together at around 7am.

For those who feel unable to complete this 8.8mile route, there will also be a separate joining point, at a later start time that is more accessible.

Equally, people are welcome to meet up at the Halliwell Jones Stadium for the end of walk ceremonies.