Guernsey Press

Walk of Hope raises £3k for mental health charity

A DAWN walk along Guernsey’s east coast drew a crowd of more than 600 on Sunday, with participants raising about £3,000 towards suicide awareness training.

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The Walk of Hope took participants from the Vale Castle to La Vallette Bathing Pools at dawn on Sunday. (Image supplied by Adam Burroughs from Buzz) (29655025)

Walkers gathered near Vale Castle before heading over The Bridge and following the coast to La Vallette Bathing Pools.

The Walk of Hope event was organised by Guernsey Mind in such a way as to ensure walkers were heading towards the sunrise, symbolising a journey from darkness into light, in the company of family, friends and strangers, who could support them in getting there.

The Walk of Hope took participants from the Vale Castle to La Vallette Bathing Pools at dawn on Sunday. (Image supplied by Adam Burroughs from Buzz) (29655023)

‘We have seen significant impact on people’s mental health since Covid and recent lockdowns,’ said events co-ordinator Maddy Diligent.

The Walk of Hope took participants from the Vale Castle to La Vallette Bathing Pools at dawn on Sunday. (Image supplied by Adam Burroughs from Buzz) (29655025)

‘Anecdotally suicide numbers in the island have significantly increased. The community came together to show support for all of those that have been affected both recently and pre-Covid.’

All funds from the walk will go towards suicide first aid training, which the charity is planning to launch imminently.

The Walk of Hope took participants from the Vale Castle to La Vallette Bathing Pools at dawn on Sunday. (Image supplied by Adam Burroughs from Buzz) (29655027)

Jodie Mercier was walking, she said, in the hope of helping people to understand that ‘it’s okay not to be okay’.

‘Help is out there,’ she said. ‘As a community we need to be kind and be there for one another – you never know what someone is going through. The walk itself was also a time to reflect and remember those who have sadly taken their lives and think of those who have been affected by suicide.’

The Walk of Hope took participants from the Vale Castle to La Vallette Bathing Pools at dawn on Sunday. (Image supplied by Adam Burroughs from Buzz) (29655029)

Brenda Le Huray got up at 3am to take part and was happy to be supporting the event.

‘I think it’s really important to raise awareness,’ she said. ‘I know so many people who have lost someone to suicide.’

The Walk of Hope took participants from the Vale Castle to La Vallette Bathing Pools at dawn on Sunday. (Image supplied by Adam Burroughs from Buzz) (29655033)

She walked with her daughter Taome Le Huray and grandson Harley Le Huray, 6, who was given a Guernsey Mind T-shirt for being the youngest walker on the day.

Being members of the Guernsey Swim All Seasons Facebook group – which has held its own events in aid of Guernsey Mind – they were among those who also went for a dip at the finish.

The Walk of Hope took participants from the Vale Castle to La Vallette Bathing Pools at dawn on Sunday. (Image supplied by Adam Burroughs from Buzz) (29655021) (29655015)

Harley joined the event after he asked his mum and grandmother why they were going. When they explained what the fund -raising was for, he told them: ‘I want to do it because some people worry about life and sometimes I worry about life too.’

Good turnout for Alderney walk

ALDERNEY Mind’s Walk of Hope was attended by three percent of the island’s population.

The route took the 61 participants from the Nunnery at Longis Bay to the Mannez Lighthouse and then across to Braye, where they were rewarded with bacon sandwiches and coffee at the Braye Beach Hotel.

The turnout for the event, which raised £352, was welcomed by Alderney Mind co-ordinator Lisa Millan.

The Alderney Mind Walk of Hope on Saturday drew a group of 61 participants. (29654003)

‘The support was absolutely brilliant,’ she said. ‘Suicide has been a part of our island over a few years. It’s touched many, many people. Islanders just wanted to show support and that people do care.’

The new funds will help the running of the charity’s wellbeing centre on Ollivier Street, which can be contacted by emailing lisa.millan@alderney.org.gg or by calling 07781 140886.

Contact can also be made with the Guernsey Mind office, with which Alderney Mind is affiliated.