According to the Office for National Statistics, three out of four people who take their own lives are men (75%). Suicide remains the biggest cause of death for men under 50 in England and Wales. Since 2022, Walk Florrie has been supporting men with their mental health through walking, connection, and conversation, and last year alone, the group walked over 10,000 miles for men’s wellbeing.
This October, Walk Florrie will once again take to the streets for its annual 24-hour Walkathon, a powerful event that brings people together in solidarity, support, and stride. The walk begins at 10:30 AM on Wednesday 9 October and continues until 10:30 AM on Thursday 10 October, World Mental Health Day. Groups will leave The Florrie every four hours, walking through the day and night, until the final group returns.
This year’s theme is “Until You’ve Walked a Mile in Someone’s Shoes” which encourages people to reflect on the challenges others may face, and how empathy and understanding begin with shared experiences.
Walk Florrie invites individuals, local organisations, community groups, and supporters from all walks of life to take part. You don’t need to be a member to join. People can walk anywhere, anytime during the 24-hour period, whether it’s one mile or ten, in slippers, trainers, or work boots. What matters is the intention: to walk in someone else’s shoes and show what community truly looks like.
“We know that walking side by side builds trust, breaks barriers, and opens up conversations that wouldn’t happen elsewhere,” says Tony Caveney, founder of Walk Florrie. “This year’s theme encourages us all to pause and consider what others might be going through, and how a simple act like walking can create space for healing, listening, and belonging.”
The Walkathon welcomes everyone, whether you want to walk for an hour, a few miles, or even the full 24 hours. You can:
- Join one of the groups leaving The Florrie every four hours
- Organise your own fundraising walk during the 24-hour period using our downloadable sponsorship form: https://www.theflorrie.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Sponsorship-Form.pdf
- Make a donation on our fundraising page to support The Florrie’s work https://gofund.me/8658603a7
Every contribution makes a difference. A donation of £100 can fund four hours of professional therapy, while £50 helps us provide new walking shoes or boots for someone who might otherwise be unable to take part. Even £20 can go a long way, supplying a two-week emergency food package or fuel allowance to support someone in need.
For more information, to sign up, or to get involved, please contact:
Tony Caveney – tony@theflorrie.org or pop into The Florrie.
Something we can all agree on: we all know someone who has been affected by men’s mental health. This October, let’s walk for them, because every mile counts.
