Hebburn Helps' Walk of Hope Returns for Its Ninth Year

One of South Tyneside's best-known community fundraisers is back. The Walk of Hope, organised through the charity Hebburn Helps, returns for its ninth year on Saturday 19 September, bringing people together for an evening walk in aid of mental-health awareness.

The walk

This year's walk sets off from Marsden Grotto on the South Tyneside coast at 5pm, following a route of around four hours to finish at the Angel of the North in Gateshead. It is a companionable, at-your-own-pace event rather than a race, and the idea at its heart is simple: to give people the time and space to walk and talk together. For many taking part, that shared few hours on the road, in good company, is the whole point.

Set up by Hebburn Helps co-founder Angie Comerford, the Walk of Hope has grown year on year into a fixture of the local calendar. It brings together people who have supported one another through difficult times, and it welcomes anyone who simply wants to show up, walk alongside their neighbours and be part of something positive.

Why it matters

The walk is about raising awareness and encouraging people to talk. Its wider aim is to remind anyone who is struggling that support is out there and that reaching out is a sign of strength, not weakness. By taking to the road together, walkers help keep the conversation about mental health going, and help make sure people know they are not on their own.

Best for:

If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. You can call Samaritans free at any time on 116 123, or contact NHS 111 for urgent mental-health support. In an emergency, always call 999.

How to get involved

Hebburn Helps runs a wide range of community support from its base in St John's Precinct at the Mountbatten Shopping Centre, and events like the Walk of Hope are a big part of its work. Anyone wanting to take part, donate or lend a hand can find the latest details on the charity's own channels.

This year's walk was reported by the Shields Gazette. It is a warm, characteristically Hebburn way to mark the cause: neighbours walking side by side, from the coast to the Angel, to look out for one another.