Chris’s House is looking forward to the return of its highly-anticipated signature event next weekend.
The Lanarkshire-based charity's Walk of Hope is back for the first time since 2019 and those taking part will tread a familiar route, setting off from the Glasgow Science Centre for the first time in three years.
Participants, the vast majority of whom have lost a family member or friend to suicide, will gather in the darkness at 4.45am on the morning of next Saturday, May 7 before making their way along the Clydeside on a 5km circular route crossing the squinty bridge where walkers will throw flowers into the river, before finishing back where it started as dawn breaks, signifying the psychological shift from darkness into light.
At the same time hundreds of others will be walking simultaneously in a second event organised by the charity which will follow a route through Midlothian.
The early hours walk raises awareness of suicide prevention while also remembering loved ones lost to suicide.
In addition, it also raises valuable funds for Chris’s House (Centre for Help, Response & Intervention Surrounding Suicide), the first 24-hour non-medical crisis centre in Scotland.
The 2020 Walk of Hope was cancelled due to the Covid pandemic and since then the annual event has taken the shape of a “virtual” walk with those taking part able to participate on their own or in small groups in their local area.
The inaugural event took place in 2015 with just over 100 people taking part but Anne Rowan, who founded Chris’s House in memory of her son following his death in 2011, admits she was moved to tears.
“When I arrived and saw them I cried, because I thought oh dear Lord it’s not only me that’s suffering. Watching it grow year on year has filled me with pride.
“I watch people supporting each other and it’s very emotional and uplifting, and the support for Chris’s House remained through lockdown."
Anne is now looking forward to reuniting with others who have lost loved ones, and some she will meet for the first time.
“It’s a massive event for us and we’re all delighted that it’s going ahead,” she admits.
“The numbers are not as big as last year but I think a lot of people are still reluctant to get back out because of the Covid pandemic.
“We would like to thank some of our sponsors for their continued support for our Walk of Hope. Again this year Barratt Homes, Frontline Construction and Miller Fabrications have continued their support and we have been totally overwhelmed by the support from these companies over the last few years.”
Chris’s House now has 65 trained volunteers providing support round the clock to people who have reached crisis point. There is always someone available to take a call or receive someone in their time of need.
Natalie Fraser will be taking part in this year’s walk in memory of her partner Wishaw man Graham Fraser who died in June 2019. Their four-year-old daughter Hannah will be on holiday with her grandparents and her aunt, but they will still be taking their own Walk of Hope.
Natalie and Hannah were among those who completed last year’s virtual event, walking locally.
Natalie and Hannah climbed Ben Nevis last year on Graham's 30th birthday, raising money for Chris's House in the process.
Natalie said: “Little Hannah and Graham’s mum and dad and his sister are going to be in Turkey, but they will be doing their own over there to support the journey from darkness to light with Chris’s House.
"We will always support this charity. The work they do in our community is more essential than ever and we are forever grateful to them. It’s great to get together in unity and support each other.
“We walked with Graham and now we walk for Graham.”
There is still time to sign up for one of the events in Glasgow or Midlothian.
You can purchase tickets for the Glasgow event at: eventbrite.co.uk/e/walk-of-hope-2022-glasgow-tickets-247146871947 and tickets for the Midlothian event are available at: eventbrite.co.uk/e/walk-of-hope-midlothian-2022-tickets-287824560007
A Walk of Hope t-shirt is included in the price of the ticket, which are £15 for adults and £10 for children, there are concession and family tickets available and tickets for under-5s are free.
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