Mayor of Medway taking part in community suicide awareness walk this weekend
Local activist group Stronger Together will unveil two new suicide prevention benches
A charity walk in memory of loved ones lost is taking place across Medway today, featuring the reveal of two new suicide prevention benches.
The Mayor's Walk to Remember has been organised by the Stronger Together project, a community fundraising group set up earlier this year.
Walkers can choose between a four-mile half walk, taking around one and a half hours, or an eight-mile full walk, taking about three hours.
The route passes three benches installed by the charity Legend on a Bench, which the group fundraises for, including one already in place and two new ones being revealed as part of today's event.
Numbers for the walk have been capped at 100 people, with organisers confirming in the run-up to the event that spaces were still available.
Family activities from 1pm
For those not taking part in the walk itself, a family fun event begins at Cliff Woods from 1pm, held at the social club and hall.
Activities on offer include a children's entertainer, arts and crafts, inflatable fun activities, and an animal encounter featuring lizards and snakes.
A barbecue and ice cream van will also be at the venue throughout the afternoon.
Walkers are expected to arrive back at Cliff Woods from around 2pm, with a bench reveal taking place at approximately 3pm.
The band Beats Working will then perform between 3pm and 8pm or 9pm, bringing walkers and families together for the rest of the celebration.
Mayor's support for the event
The event has been organised in partnership with the Mayor of Medway, who Lee Mills, one of the Stronger Together co-founders, said was keen to collaborate after seeing the group's work.
Mills said, "He reached out to us and just said, I really like the stuff you're doing. It looks great.
"I wonder if there's something we could collaborate on."
Representatives from Legend on a Bench, run by Michelle Hazard and Mickey Hazard, are also due to attend as part of the bench reveal.
If you've been impacted by suicide you can find help and support at hubofhope.co.uk