HOPEWALK
Watch this space for HOPEWALK 2023
HOPEWALK is PAPYRUS’s flagship fundraising event which takes place each October across the UK. It’s an opportunity to gather friends and family together – or take on a solo walk – to raise awareness and funds for PAPYRUS and suicide prevention.
Over the past decade you’ve helped us to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for suicide prevention with your HOPEWALKs – an incredible collective achievement.
Your walk can be as big or as small as you want – virtual or in person – you have the opportunity to get as creative as you like.
Check out the film below which was created by Edwin, one of our wonderful volunteers who attended our London HOPEWALK last year.
Come back soon to find out how you can get involved in HOPEWALK 2023
PAPYRUS launched HOPEWALK eight years ago, around World Mental Health Awareness Day on October 10<sup>th </sup>2013. Originally, we asked you to organise walks during this week in October, but over the years it has evolved and now takes place over the whole month of October.
Everyone’s HOPEWALK will be different with one common goal; to smash the stigma and get the conversation around suicide started.
HOPEWALK and HOPEWALK Challenge are both completely free to sign up to.
Most people choose to have their walk take place in October to celebrate World Mental Health Day, but you are more than welcome to walk at another time during the year.
Please do keep checking back on our website, as we will be listing “public walks” including our office walks that will take place in the following locations:
- London
- Birmingham
- Warrington
- Cardiff
- Belfast
You will receive some posters in your HOPEWALK Host Pack that are left blank so you can fill out the details for your walk.
We suggest you ask local businesses if you can display and advertise your walk there – for example, in your local GP or your corner shop.
We would also advise that you share your walk on social media – you can even make it an event on Facebook and invite people to join!
Some people choose to use their HOPEWALK to raise funds, others choose to walk in memory of a loved one or to raise awareness. Either is absolutely fine. You can choose to use your HOPEWALK to raise funds, but you absolutely don’t have to – our aim is to get the conversation around suicide started, in order to #SmashTheStigma.
HOPEWALK Challenge is new for 2022, why not challenge yourself to walk 25 miles throughout the month of October to celebrate PAPYRUS turning 25, we are asking participants to fundraise £100.00 by taking part.
We can help guide you with planning your HOPEWALK, such as how to boost donations or sponsorship. You will receive our amazing digital fundraising pack – including a children’s activity pack! This is chock-full of information, hints and tips, as well as printable resources and fun activities.
Our press office can help advise you on how to promote your event in local media – please just get in touch at hopewalk@papyrus-uk.org if you have any queries!
Don’t forget we’re always here to cheer you on so if there’s anything we can help with, just let us know.
