Walk Florrie is calling on individuals, workplaces, community groups and organisations across Liverpool to step up and take part in a 24-hour fundraising challenge for men’s mental health this October.

The Liverpool initiative, which has been supporting men through walking, connection and conversation since 2022, will stage its annual 24 Hour Walkathon in the build-up to World Mental Health Day.

From 10.30am on Thursday 8 October, Walk Florrie members will walk continuously for 24 hours, with groups leaving The Florrie every four hours throughout the day and night.

The final group will return at 10.30am on Friday 9 October.

This year, however, organisers want the challenge to spread far beyond The Florrie, with businesses, charities, community organisations, families and groups of friends encouraged to organise their own fundraising walks anywhere during the 24-hour period.

People could take part with a lunchtime walk alongside work colleagues, organise an evening stroll with friends and family, arrange a community walk or simply head out by themselves.

There is no minimum distance and participants do not need to be members of Walk Florrie or visit The Florrie to get involved.

Organisers say the aim is simply to get people walking while raising money and awareness for men’s mental health.

Three quarters of people who take their own lives are men, according to Office for National Statistics figures, while suicide remains the biggest cause of death among men aged under 50 in England and Wales.

Since its launch in 2022, Walk Florrie has aimed to tackle stigma and isolation by giving men opportunities to connect, walk and talk in an informal environment.

This year’s Walkathon will once again carry the theme “Until You’ve Walked a Mile in Someone’s Shoes”, highlighting how difficult it can be to know what somebody else may be going through.

As well as raising money, the event aims to encourage conversations around mental health, demonstrate solidarity and reinforce Walk Florrie’s #NeverAlone message.

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.”

Money raised will support the organisation’s work with men across the community.

According to Walk Florrie, £100 can fund four hours of professional therapy, £50 can help provide walking shoes or boots for somebody who might otherwise be unable to take part, while £20 can provide emergency food packages or fuel support.

Last year, Walk Florrie clocked up more than 10,000 miles in support of men’s wellbeing, with its message also travelling beyond Liverpool through walks and awareness trips to Vallecas in Spain and Dingle in Ireland.

This October, organisers hope to multiply those miles by encouraging people across Liverpool and further afield to take part.

People can join one of the groups leaving The Florrie every four hours, arrange their own fundraising walk during the 24-hour challenge or make a donation.

Donations can be made through Walk Florrie’s 24 Hour Walkathon GoFundMe page, while a downloadable sponsorship form is available through The Florrie website.

Anyone who would like to get involved or find out more can contact Tony Caveney at tony@theflorrie.org or visit The Florrie.

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