Ten-mile walk along Thames from Battersea Park to raise money and awareness on World Mental Health Day

Walkers will raise money for a mental health charity starting at Battersea Park and going along the Thames to Tower Bridge and back.

Walking Out of Darkness 10-mile event, run by counselling life advice suicide prevention, CLASP, is returning to mark this year’s World Mental Health Day.

The route will see participants taking in the sights and landmarks up and down the River Thames, with the iconic Tower Bridge being a midway crossing point. All whilst raising funds for local mental health charities and causes.

The pandemic has widened pre-existing inequalities and is being seen not only as a health crisis, but dramatically affecting people’s social, economic and family life, as well as their mental health.

The Walking Out of Darkness walk, from 10am from Battersea Park, on Sunday, October 10, aims to unite people, coming together to assist, fundraise and support mental health charities.

The event will help increase mental health awareness and equality rights for people with mental health disabilities. Thrive LDN is pleased to be a supporting partner.

The event is dedicated to mental health charities across London. Participants can choose a charity of their choice to fundraise for or simply just join people from around the country, walking in unity across London.

How to take part

The walk will start at 10am from Battersea Park, London, on Sunday, 10 October 2021.

• Register via Eventbriteto secure your place on the walk.
• The full details and the route can be explored via the dedicated Walking Out of Darkness website.

Talking about the event, founder and CEO of CLASP Charity, Kenny Johnston said: “The last 18 months has been a challenge to the health and wellbeing of millions of people. Covid, lockdowns and restrictions have caused emotional and mental distress to people across the country, as well as around the world.

“This year, the Walking Out of Darkness event is dedicated to all mental health charities across London and UK.

We invite everyone to come together and show support for local and regional mental health charities and their volunteers.

So many of which have worked with limited funds during the pandemic to respond to and support the emotional and mental health need in our communities and neighbourhoods.”

Thrive LDN director, Dan Barrett said: “Public conversations around mental health have come a long way in recent years but there is still so much further to go.

Thrive LDN is pleased to be a supporting partner for this year’s Walking Out of Darkness event organised by CLASP Charity.

It provides an important opportunity for people to come together on World Mental Health Day, and work towards changing attitudes on mental health.

“We need to help encourage each other to talk and act more when it comes to mental health and wellbeing.

Throughout the pandemic, there has been a clear relationship between resilience and dealing with uncertainty, and the power of relationships, collectivising, and social networks.

As we emerge from the coronavirus crisis, this has never been more important.”

To keep up to date about the event, follow CLASP on social media via Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.