A Burnham-On-Sea charity is giving its support to a new event in Weston-super-Mare which aims to increase mental health awareness, prevent suicides and work to end the stigma surrounding mental illness.
In Charley’s Memory was set up after Burnham teenager Charley Marks took his own life, aged 18, in September 2014. The charity now supports and helps hundreds of young people and those affected by mental health.
The charity hopes local people will consider taking part in the new 10-mile fundraising walk, called Walking out of Darkness, in Weston on Saturday 24th June.
The walk will take in many sights around the town including Weston Woods, Birnbeck Pier and the Grand Pier, and will start and finish on the Beach Lawns.
Everyone who registers to take part in the walk here will be able to fundraise for a mental health or suicide prevention charity, with part of their registration fee going directly towards a charity of their choice.
Walking out of Darkness events started three years ago in London and are spreading across the country, with events in Birmingham and London planned for later this month.
The event also incorporates a festival to showcase local and national mental health and suicide prevention charities and services, which will be held at Beach Lawns.
Dawn Carey, the Operations Manager from In Charley’s Memory, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “Mental health does not discriminate. Whether it is a young person like Charley who was beaten by the invisible illness at 18 or a work colleague who, to the outside world seems to have it all, anyone can be affected.”
“For us, Walking out of Darkness is about people from all walks of life young and old coming together to help raise awareness and reduce the stigma. Walking side by side talking and sharing stories, and knowing that you’re not alone and it’s okay to talk. That is why In Charley’s Memory is part of Walking out of Darkness”.
Registration for the walk costs just £10 per person, with part of the registration fee going directly towards the participant’s nominated mental health charity, plus the opportunity to fundraise further through sponsorship. More details are at www.walkingoutofdarkness.com.
If you are concerned about your mental health, or the mental well-being of someone you know, contact the NHS 111 Helpline, the Samaritans on 116 123 or speak to your GP.
