Walk Florrie is calling on individuals, workplaces, community groups, organisations and charities across Liverpool to step up and take part in a 24-hour fundraising challenge for men’s mental health.
Three out of four people who take their own lives are men (75%), according to the Office for National Statistics. 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, helping to tackle stigma, reduce isolation and create spaces where people can talk.
Now, as part of the build-up to World Mental Health Day on 10 October, Walk Florrie is asking the wider community to join them for this year’s 24-hour Walkathon.
From 10:30am on Thursday 8 October, Walk Florrie will be walking continuously for 24 hours, with groups leaving The Florrie every four hours and walking through the day and night before the final group returns at 10:30am on Friday 9 October.
But this year, the focus is not just on the Walk Florrie groups. Walk Florrie wants people across the community to get involved by organising their own fundraising walks during the 24-hour period.
You could bring together your work colleagues for a lunchtime walk, get your friends and family out for an evening walk, organise a community group walk or simply take a walk by yourself. It can be one mile or ten, around your local area, workplace, park or anywhere you choose.
You don’t need to be a member of Walk Florrie and you don’t need to come to The Florrie. Just choose a time, get walking and turn your miles into money for men’s mental health.
This year’s walk continues with the theme “Until You’ve Walked a Mile in Someone’s Shoes”, a sombre reminder that we never truly know what someone else may be going through. The Walkathon is about more than raising money. It is about starting conversations, showing solidarity and reminding people that they are #NeverAlone.
Tony Caveney, founder of Walk Florrie, said:
“We want this year’s Walkathon to belong to everyone. You don’t have to walk with us at The Florrie. We want people to organise their own walks, get their mates involved, bring their colleagues together and raise money in whatever way works for them. Every walk is an opportunity to start a conversation and show someone that they’re not alone.”
Walk Florrie is encouraging local businesses, community organisations, charities, workplaces, friends and families to take part. You can join one of the groups leaving The Florrie every four hours, organise your own fundraising walk during the 24 hours, or simply make a donation to support the work.
A downloadable sponsorship form is available here for anyone organising their own fundraising walk: https://www.theflorrie.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Sponsorship-Form.pdf
Every contribution you raise makes a difference. £100 can fund four hours of professional therapy, while £50 can help provide walking shoes or boots for someone who might otherwise be unable to take part. Even £20 can provide emergency food packages or fuel allowance to someone in need.
Donate now: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-walk-for-mens-mental-health
Last year, Walk Florrie walked more than 10,000 miles for men’s wellbeing, even taking its message beyond Liverpool through international walks and awareness trips to Vallecas, Spain and Dingle, Ireland. This year, they want to see those miles multiplied by people taking part in communities across Liverpool and beyond.
We all know someone who has been affected by men’s mental health. This October, Walk Florrie is asking you to take a step, start a conversation, raise some money and show that nobody has to walk alone.
To get involved, organise your own fundraising walk or find out more, contact Tony Caveney tony@theflorrie.org at or pop into The Florrie.