South Tyneside charity champion’s Walk of Hope continues to raise awareness for mental health
An annual South Tyneside mental health awareness walk is returning for its ninth year.
A yearly 11-mile walking event is set to return later this month as those taking part look to raise awareness for mental health issues.
The Walk of Hope, which is entering its ninth year, was set up by Angie Comerford, the co-founder of Hebburn Helps, after her father Brian Hannigan sadly took his life in 2012.
Since then, Angie has made it one of her missions to raise awareness about mental health and get more people talking about the subject.
The Walk of Hope
The event sees people walk from the Marsden Grotto, in South Tyneside, to The Angel of the North, in Gateshead, to bring people together while walking and talking to honour those they have lost.
As well as remembering those who have sadly passed away, the Walk of Hope also looks to offer a chance to anyone who is battling their own mental health problems to talk about the support that is available for them.
Walkers will be setting off from The Grotto at 5pm on Saturday, September 19, to take on the four-hour journey to the Angel.
‘It’s so important that we carry on raising awareness around suicide and mental health’
Ahead of the 2026 Walk of Hope, Angie has revealed that the event continues to grow year-on-year due to the amount of people who have lost someone due to mental health issues.
Angie said: “This is the ninth year that we have come together to walk in honour of those who we have sadly lost due to suicide.
“Over the years the momentum of the walk continues to grow with lots of people being affected by this awful subject.
“Back in 2017 I set this up after losing the main man - my beautiful dad Brian Hannigan.
“He left me with a broken heart and from that moment I decided I wanted to do something to bring people together.
“It’s so important that we carry on raising awareness around suicide and mental health.
“It is such a comforting event so if you or anyone you know has been affected by this, then please come along and join in.”
Those in South Tyneside who are struggling with their mental health can visit: https://www.healthwatchsouthtyneside.co.uk/young-healthwatch/your-mental-health/local-services-and-support/.