Pictures John Hopkins
MORE than 250 walkers took to the streets of Warrington at 3 am today (Sunday) as five local organisations committed to raising awareness of suicide prevention and the need for conversations teamed up for the HOPE 100 walk.
Lead organisation Livewire Warrington Lifestyles team along with Warrington Speak Up, Warrington Wolves Foundation, Directions for Men and Warrington Veterans Community Support set off from the Halliwell Jones Stadium, coinciding with World Suicide Prevention Day.
They were joined by Warrington North MP Charlotte Nichols.
The name HOPE 100 was chosen because the International Association for Suicide Prevention who are the key instigators of World Suicide Prevention Day have the theme ‘Hope through action’ for this year. Also 1 in every 100 deaths worldwide is as a result of suicide.
Organisers believe that through open conversations, active listening, asking questions, supporting people to access help, and challenging stigma around mental health, they can make a difference in Warrington.
The walk was happening for the 4th time but this year under a new name – it was previously called Darkness into Light and started at the stadium in Widnes and finished at the Halliwell Jones.
This year it was a circular walk starting and finishing at the Halliwell Jones. The walk was a 10.3-mile route largely on designated public pathways such as the Trans Pennine, Black Bear etc.
For those who couldn’t walk the full distance, there was a more accessible route starting at Victoria Park.
Almost ready to set off on the @Hope100Warr walk! Wish us luck 🤞 pic.twitter.com/TrFMUyaAoJ
— Charlotte Nichols (@charlotte2153) September 10, 2023
Over half way now, more than 250 people coming together to walk around Warrington for #WorldSuicidePreventionDay
Inspirational! pic.twitter.com/l5GwaKuNPo
— Hope100Warrington (@Hope100Warr) September 10, 2023
Final checkpoint…on the home straight now! 🫶 Victoria Park is looking beautiful 😍 pic.twitter.com/zhDBI5eHOR
— Hope100Warrington (@Hope100Warr) September 10, 2023
And that's a wrap on the @Hope100Warr walk for #WorldSuicidePreventionDay. Just over 10 miles of walking across Warrington, from the darkness into the light, with many profound conversations about mental health on the journey. Well done to all the walkers and volunteers! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/OajNfktjRW
— Charlotte Nichols (@charlotte2153) September 10, 2023
