This October, Walk Florrie returns with its annual 24-hour Walkathon, a powerful event uniting people in solidarity, support, and stride.
Starting at 10:30am on Wednesday 9 October, groups will set off from The Florrie every four hours, walking through the day and night until 10:30am on Thursday 10 October, World Mental Health Day. The final walkers will return to mark the close of a full day dedicated to movement and mental well-being.
This year’s theme, “Until You’ve Walked a Mile in Someone’s Shoes,” invites participants to reflect on the challenges faced by others and how empathy begins with shared experience.
Walk Florrie welcomes individuals, community groups, organisations, and supporters from all walks of life. Membership isn’t required – anyone can take part. Whether you cover one mile or ten, walk in trainers, slippers, or work boots, or choose your own route at any time during the 24 hours, what matters most is the intention: to walk in someone else’s shoes and show the true meaning of community.
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.
Tony Caveney, founder of Walk Florrie, said:
“We know that walking side by side builds trust, breaks barriers, and opens up conversations that wouldn’t happen elsewhere. 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 here
- Make a donation on our fundraising page to support The Florrie’s work here
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.
